A Montgomery County road construction zone turned deadly on Tuesday when a vehicle hit a 61-year-old flagger who was directing traffic off FM 1484, according to his family. Relatives identified the victim as Francisco Malacara, a Houston grandfather whose sudden death has left his children and grandchildren reeling while investigators work to piece together what happened.
Speaking through grief, Malacara's daughter Veronica remembered him as "always joking around and dancing," while his son Javier said, "No amount of money or sentence is going to bring him back," the family told FOX 26 Houston. Relatives also shared that they have launched a GoFundMe to help cover his funeral expenses.
Work Zone Dangers In Texas
Malacara's death unfolds against a troubling backdrop for roadside crews across Texas. According to TxDOT, there were more than 28,000 crashes in work zones statewide in 2025, resulting in over 200 deaths. The agency notes that most people killed in work zone crashes are drivers and passengers, not workers, and it repeatedly urges motorists to slow down, stay alert and obey posted signs when entering construction areas.
Those numbers highlight just how exposed flaggers and other workers can be when traffic moves too fast or drivers fail to pay attention in tight roadside corridors.
Investigation Underway
The Texas Department of Public Safety is leading the investigation into the FM 1484 crash. Authorities told FOX 26 Houston that the driver, described as a 40-year-old, stayed at the scene and is cooperating with investigators. As of publication, the driver had not been charged while troopers continue to work through the details of the collision.
What Drivers Can Do
Crash investigations often unfold over days or weeks, and prosecutors may wait for a full set of findings before deciding on any charges. In the meantime, TxDOT is again pointing drivers to Texas's Move Over or Slow Down law, which requires motorists to change lanes or reduce speed when approaching stopped vehicles on the roadside, including work crews.
The agency distributes safety materials and runs district campaigns during April work zone awareness efforts, aiming to keep crashes like this from claiming more lives on Texas roads.
