Incoming NADA Chairman Hurt in Accident

SAN FRANCISO – The week of the National Automobile Dealers Assn. convention started out badly for William Fox, the trade group’s incoming chairman.

He suffered dental and facial injuries when he tripped Monday while out for a stroll in this city that’s hosting the annual convention. He hit his chin hard on a sidewalk sandwich board. The impact caused his front teeth to compress into his gums.

Dazed, he tried to hail a taxi to get medical help. But a cabbie, misperceiving the situation, thought Fox looked like a risky ride because of his appearances.

“He looked pretty rough,” 2015 NADA Chairman Forrest McConnell III tells WardsAuto. “Not knowing what was going on, the cab driver locked his car doors.”

Fox eventually got to a medical facility. He is recovering and undergoing follow-up dental treatment.

McConnell pinch hit for him today for a scheduled appearance at the American Financial Services Assn. vehicle financing conference held in conjunction with the NADA event.

McConnell expects his successor will be in good enough shape to deliver his  inaugural speech to the convention’s general assembly Saturday.

“He’s been working on it since October,” McConnell says. “He’s memorized it.”

Of the accident, McConnell says, “It’s not a good way to start out the week.”

Nor a NADA chairmanship.

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