Fort Worth CEO, two children killed in car crash while traveling for Thanksgiving

A Fort Worth construction company executive and his two children were killed in a car crash this week in Central Texas.

Zach Muckleroy, 44, CEO of Muckleroy & Falls, his 12-year-old son, Judson, and 9-year-old daughter, Lindsay, died Wednesday while on their way to spend Thanksgiving with family. Muckleroy’s wife, Lauren, survived the crash and was flown to an Austin hospital in critical condition.

Muckleroy & Falls Construction officials confirmed the accident on social media and said the company was devastated.

“Zach had a charisma about him and the uncanny ability to light up any room he walked into,” company officials wrote on Facebook. “He had a charitable heart that made lasting impacts on the Fort Worth community. He treasured his family and was a proud alumni of TCU.”

The three-car crash occurred about 6:40 p.m. Wednesday on U.S. Highway 281 near Johnson City, roughly 50 miles west of Austin, according to multiple media reports. Four people were killed. The name of the fourth person has not been released. Additional details about the crash were not available.

Hundreds gathered to mourn Friday night at University Christian Church in Fort Worth, where the Muckleroys were longtime members.

Senior minister Russ Peterman said he received frequent updates on Lauren Muckleroy’s condition, noting that she underwent multiple surgeries, according to a report by Fox 4 KDFW.

“She’s aware that she lost her family,” Peterman said. “You can only imagine how hard that must be.”

Multiple generations of Muckleroys grew up attending the church, Peterman said. “Zach was not only a member of the congregation but a friend as well. I love that family. Those kids are amazing. Lauren is a fighter.”

Born and raised in Fort Worth, Muckleroy’s friends jokingly referred to him as the city’s mayor, KXAS-TV Channel 5 reported.

“Everybody wants to do something,” Peterman said. “Everybody wants to say something, but there’s not anything to say or do except to come together and pray together and recognize that we’re not alone in this.”

Muckleroy graduated from Texas Christian University with a degree in accounting and finance in 2002, according to his company website. He took over as CEO of his family business three years ago, Fox reported.

As a student, Muckleroy walked onto the TCU football team in 1998, the year the Horned Frogs won the Sun Bowl, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Former TCU football coach Gary Patterson described Muckleroy as a great “husband, dad and friend” on social media.