Texas construction CEO Zach Muckleroy, his 2 kids killed during car crash on Thanksgiving

A former TCU football player turned construction CEO and his two children were killed in a car crash while traveling to visit family in Texas for Thanksgiving.

Zach Muckleroy, CEO of Muckleroy and Falls Construction Company, 12-year-old Judson and 9-year-old Lindsey died on Wednesday in a three-car crash off Highway 281, roughly 50 miles west of Austin, according to Fox 4.

Muckleroy’s wife, Lauren, survived and was airlifted to an Austin hospital in critical condition.

A fourth victim was killed in the crash, but their name has yet to be released.

Muckleroy and Falls Construction confirmed the sudden and tragic accident, saying the company was “heartbroken.”

“Zach had a charisma about him and the uncanny ability to light up any room he walked into,” the company 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.”

Muckleroy had taken over as CEO of the family business three years ago, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Hundreds of people attended a vigil held for the three at the University Christian Church in Fort Worth on Friday night.

Senior minister Russ Peterman revealed he had received updates on Lauren Muckleroy’s condition since the accident, saying she has undergone multiple surgeries since the crash and has since awakened.

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

Peterman shared that generations of Muckleroys grew up attending his Fort Worth church.

“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,” the Rev. Peterman told the outlet.

Former Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price, a close friend of Muckleroy’s parents, spoke during the Friday night vigil, saying she remembers watching Muckleroy as a child.

“We were all in Sunday school together,” Price said, according to WFAA. “It’s unbelievable. The Muckleroys are just pillars of our community and great Christian folks, great family folks, good business people.”

Muckleroy graduated from Texas Christian University with a degree in Accounting and Finance with a Real Estate Concentration in 2002, according to the company website.

The father of two played for the Horned Frogs football team in 1998.

Former TCU Coach Gary Patterson shared his hearted-felt condolences after hearing the news of the tragic passing of his former player and kids.

“With a heavy heart I just wanted to follow up with any of you that hadn’t heard that last night we lost a great Horn Frog, husband, dad and friend Zach Muckleroy and their two children Lindsay and Judson in a head on collision,” Patterson wrote on X.