Construction Firm CEO Killed in Thanksgiving eve Crash

The CEO of a Fort Worth-based construction company and his two children died in a three-car crash last week.

Zach Muckleroy, 44, and his children Judson, 12, and Lindsay, 9, died in a collision on U.S. Highway 281 near Johnson City, the Dallas Morning News reported. Muckleroy’s wife, Lauren, survived but sustained extensive injuries.

The crash occurred around 6:40 p.m. on Wednesday, when the family was traveling to spend Thanksgiving with relatives.

The tragedy unfolded when a northbound driver crossed the center traffic line, resulting in a head-on collision with the Chevrolet SUV driven by Lauren Muckleroy, according to a preliminary report from the Texas Department of Public Safety. A woman driving a Nissan Versa, also traveling southbound, subsequently struck the Muckleroys’ vehicle, causing the Nissan to roll.

Zach Muckleroy and his children died at the scene of the crash, while the northbound driver later died in the hospital. Lauren Muckleroy was taken to an Austin hospital. The Nissan driver was treated and released at the scene.

The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have not determined the cause of the northbound driver’s deviation into oncoming traffic.

Zach Muckleroy was the CEO of Muckleroy & Falls Construction, which was founded by his father, Harold, in 1979. The younger Muckleroy joined the family business in 2009 as a project manager before taking over as CEO three years ago.

He was a Texas Christian University graduate, former football team walk-on and active community member. Family, friends and the Fort Worth community are coming together to mourn the loss, and to support Lauren Muckleroy, who has undergone multiple surgeries following the accident.

—Quinn Donoghue