A car accident in Central Texas involving three vehicles has left the CEO of Fort Worth-based construction firm Muckleroy & Falls and his two children dead. The crash occurred on November 22, 2023.
Zach Muckleroy, 44, son Judson, 12, and daughter Lindsay, 9, were en route to spend Thanksgiving with relatives when their vehicle, an SUV driven by Muckleroy’s wife Lauren, was involved in a three-car collision on U.S. Highway 281 near Johnson City, Texas, approximately 50 miles west of Austin.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, the accident happened around 6:40 p.m. when a northbound truck crossed over the center traffic line, colliding head-on with the Chevrolet SUV. A Nissan Versa, traveling southbound behind the SUV, struck the vehicle, causing the Nissan to roll over.
Zach Muckleroy and his two children were pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the truck responsible for the accident later died in a hospital. Lauren Muckleroy, who sustained extensive injuries, was airlifted to an Austin hospital for treatment. The driver of the Nissan was treated and released at the scene.
The cause behind the northbound driver’s deviation into oncoming traffic is still under investigation.
Zach Muckleroy was a well-known figure in the Fort Worth business community, having taken over as CEO of the company founded by his father, Harold, in 1979. He joined the family business in 2009 as a project manager and became CEO in 2020.
Muckleroy was a graduate of Texas Christian University (TCU) and a former walk-on for the TCU Horned Frogs football team in 1998. He was known for his charisma and impactful contributions to the Fort Worth community.
His company, Muckleroy & Falls, has been a significant player in the construction sector, involved in several major projects in the area.
The Fort Worth community and officials, including former Mayor Betsy Price, have expressed deep condolences to the Muckleroy family, acknowledging their long-standing involvement and contributions to the community. Price remembered Zach Muckleroy as a child and described the family as pillars of the community.
A vigil was held at the University Christian Church in Fort Worth, where hundreds gathered to mourn the loss.
