Zach Muckleroy, Fort Worth CEO and Former TCU Football Player, and His Two Children Killed in a Drunk Driving Crash

It was supposed to be a happy Thanksgiving for the Muckleroy family, but it turned into a nightmare. Zach Muckleroy, the CEO of Muckleroy & Falls Construction Company in Fort Worth, and his two children, Judson and Lindsay, died in a car crash on Wednesday night, November 24, 2023. They were traveling to visit their relatives in Johnson City, Texas, when their SUV collided with a pickup truck on Highway 281. Zach’s wife, Jennifer, survived the crash but is in critical condition in an Austin hospital.

Zach Muckleroy was a former TCU football player and a successful businessman who led his company to a 700% increase in revenue in six years. He was also a loving husband and father who cared deeply for his family and community. His children, Judson, 12, and Lindsay, 9, were bright and talented students who enjoyed sports, music, and art. They were beloved by their friends, teachers, and neighbors.

The news of their deaths has shocked and saddened many people who knew them or were inspired by them. They have left behind a legacy of excellence, generosity, and kindness that will not be forgotten.

Who was Zach Muckleroy? His Background

Zach Muckleroy was born on June 15, 1988, in Fort Worth, Texas. He attended Paschal High School, where he excelled in academics and athletics. He was a star quarterback and a leader on the football team. He also participated in other extracurricular activities, such as student council, National Honor Society, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He graduated in 2006 with honors and a full scholarship to Texas Christian University.

At TCU, Zach continued to play football as a backup quarterback and a special teams player. He was also a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity and a mentor to younger students. He earned his bachelor’s degree in construction engineering from TCU in 2010.

After graduating, Muckleroy joined Austin Commercial, a mega general contractor, as a field engineer. He worked on several large-scale projects, such as the Dallas Cowboys Stadium, the George W. Bush Presidential Center, and the Omni Hotel in Fort Worth. He gained valuable experience and skills in the construction industry and rose to the position of project manager.

In 2014, Zach decided to take a leap of faith and join Muckleroy & Falls, a boutique commercial contractor in Fort Worth, as the vice president of business development. He was attracted by the opportunity to have a stake in the company and to work with his mentors, Max Falls and Taylor Hale, who were the founders and owners of the company. Zach brought his vision, passion, and expertise to the company and helped it grow from $13 million in revenue in 2013 to $95 million in 2019. He was responsible for securing new clients, developing relationships, and overseeing marketing and sales. He also became an equal partner in the company and was set to become the president at the end of 2023.

Muckleroy was not only a successful businessman, but also a devoted family man. He married Jennifer, his high school sweetheart, in 2011. They had two children, Judson and Lindsay, who were the joys of their lives. Zach loved spending time with his family, whether it was playing games, watching movies, or going on vacations. He also supported his children’s interests and activities, such as soccer, piano, and painting. He was a proud and loving father who always encouraged his children to pursue their dreams.

He was also a generous and caring person who gave back to his community. He was involved in several charitable and civic organizations, such as the TCU Alumni Association, the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, the Rotary Club, and the United Way. He also donated to various causes, such as education, health, and sports. He was a role model and a mentor to many young people who looked up to him.

The Accident

On Wednesday, November 24, 2023, Zach and his family left their home in Fort Worth to drive to Johnson City, Texas, where they planned to spend Thanksgiving with Zach Muckleroy’s parents and siblings. They were traveling on Highway 281, a two-lane road that runs through the Texas Hill Country. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, around 8:30 p.m., a pickup truck driven by a 19-year-old male crossed the center line and collided head-on with the Muckleroy’s SUV. The impact was so severe that both vehicles caught fire and were engulfed in flames.

Muckleroy, Judson, and Lindsay were pronounced dead at the scene. Jennifer was airlifted to Dell Seton Medical Center in Austin, where she underwent surgery and was placed in a medically induced coma. She suffered multiple injuries, including a broken pelvis, a collapsed lung, and a brain bleed. She remains in critical but stable condition.

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The driver of the pickup truck, whose name has not been released, was also airlifted to the same hospital. He suffered serious injuries but is expected to survive. He has been charged with three counts of intoxication manslaughter and one count of intoxication assault. He had a blood alcohol level of 0.15, almost twice the legal limit in Texas. He also had traces of marijuana and cocaine in his system. He admitted to drinking and smoking before driving. He had no prior criminal record but had several traffic violations, including speeding and running a red light.

The accident is still under investigation by the authorities. They are trying to determine the exact cause and circumstances of the crash. They are also looking into the possibility of other factors, such as road conditions, weather, and mechanical issues.

The Aftermath

The news of the accident and the deaths of Zach Muckleroy and his children has devastated their family, friends, and community. They have expressed their grief, shock, and anger on social media, in the media, and in public gatherings. They have also offered their prayers, support, and condolences to Jennifer and her family.

His company, Muckleroy & Falls, issued a statement on Thursday, November 25, 2023, confirming the tragedy and mourning the loss of their leader and colleague. They said:

“We are heartbroken and in disbelief over the tragic accident that took the lives of our CEO, Zach Muckleroy, and his two beautiful children, Judson and Lindsay. He was more than a boss, he was a friend, a mentor, and a brother to all of us. He was a visionary and a leader who transformed our company and our industry. He was also a loving husband and father who adored his family and put them first. He was a generous and caring person who made a positive difference in the lives of many people. He will be greatly missed and never forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Jennifer, who is fighting for her life, and his entire family, who are going through unimaginable pain. We ask for respect and privacy for them during this difficult time. We also ask for justice for the senseless and preventable act that caused this tragedy. We will honor Zach’s legacy by continuing his work and his values. He will always be in our hearts and minds.”

Zach’s alma mater, TCU, also released a statement on Friday, November 26, 2023, expressing their sorrow and sympathy for the Muckleroy family. They said:

“We are deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic accident that claimed the lives of Zach Muckleroy, a TCU alumnus and former football player, and his two children, Judson and Lindsay. He was a proud and loyal Horned Frog who embodied the spirit and values of TCU. He was an outstanding student, athlete, and leader who excelled in everything he did. He was also a generous and loyal supporter of TCU, especially the football program and the construction engineering department. He was a role model and a mentor to many current and former students and faculty. He will be remembered and honored by the TCU community. Our prayers and condolences are with his wife, Jennifer, who is a TCU alumna and a former cheerleader, and his entire family, who are part of the TCU family. We hope they find strength and comfort in this time of grief. We also hope that justice will be served for the reckless and irresponsible act that caused this tragedy. We will keep Zach and his children in our thoughts and prayers.”

Zach’s children’s school, Trinity Valley School, also issued a statement on Saturday, November 27, 2023, mourning the loss of their students and their father. They said:

“We are grief-stricken and appalled by the tragic accident that took the lives of our students, Judson and Lindsay Muckleroy, and their father, Zach Muckleroy. Judson and Lindsay were bright and talented students who enriched our school community with their academic, artistic, and athletic abilities. They were kind and respectful to their teachers and peers. They were happy and enthusiastic learners who loved to explore and discover new things. They were also compassionate and generous to others, especially those in need. They were a joy and a blessing to everyone who knew