Carlos Mugica IV and Jennifer Salazar Mugica, both of Castle Hills, were killed in a crash on Interstate 10 in Fayette County on June 12.
Courtesy of Castle Hills
A Castle Hills husband and wife remembered for their commitment to education, community service and civic involvement were killed Friday afternoon in a crash on Interstate 10 in Fayette County, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Troopers responded to the crash around 2:30 p.m. June 12 on Interstate 10 in Fayette County, about 115 miles east of San Antonio.
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A preliminary investigation found that a Jeep Grand Cherokee was traveling on Interstate 10 when, for reasons that remain under investigation, it veered onto the improved right shoulder and struck the rear of a trailer being towed by a semi-truck. Troopers said the semi-truck and its two trailers were parked on the shoulder because of mechanical problems.
The driver of the Jeep, 54-year-old Carlos Mugica IV, and his passenger, 46-year-old Jennifer Salazar Mugica, were pronounced dead at the scene. Both were Castle Hills residents.
The driver of the semi-truck was not injured.
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As news of the crash spread, tributes poured in from community leaders, schools and organizations that had worked with the couple over the years.
Castle Hills Mayor JR Treviño remembered the pair as friends, community advocates and dedicated supporters of local causes.
“It is with profound sadness that I share the passing of Carlos and Jenn Mugica,” Treviño wrote in a Facebook post.
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The mayor said the couple was proud Castle Hills residents, enthusiastic supporters of Fiesta, and advocates of the Rey Feo Consejo Educational Foundation. He credited them with making a lasting impact through their generosity, kindness, and commitment to the community.
“They will be deeply missed and fondly remembered,” Treviño wrote.
Jennifer Mugica spent years serving students and families across San Antonio schools.
The Young Women’s Leadership Academy remembered its former teacher and assistant principal as an educator whose “laughing eyes and beautiful smile lit up so many days for so many students.”
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“We lean into hope, as Jennifer always did,” the school said in a statement.
Woodlawn Academy, where Jennifer Mugica also served as an assistant principal, said her influence continues to be felt throughout the campus.
School leaders described her as a dedicated educator who encouraged staff to always place children at the center of their work. They said her kindness, compassion and unwavering commitment to education touched countless students, families and colleagues.
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“Her legacy lives on through the relationships she built and the difference she made in the lives of others,” the school said.
Carlos Mugica was also well known for his involvement in community and educational causes throughout San Antonio.
A longtime member of the Rey Feo Scholarship Foundation, Mugica served as the organization’s Transportation Minister and supported its mission of providing scholarships and educational opportunities to local students.
According to the foundation, Mugica was born and raised in San Antonio and built a successful career in real estate after entering the industry in 2005. He worked as a Realtor with LPT Realty and was passionate about helping families find homes and establish roots in the community.
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He also recently served as a zoning commissioner for the City of Castle Hills, a position that reflected his commitment to maintaining and improving the city he called home.
Friends and colleagues remembered Mugica as a devoted husband to Jennifer and proud father to their two daughters, Carlie and Taylor.
The Rey Feo Scholarship Foundation said Mugica believed education could change the trajectory of a person’s life and create opportunities for future generations, a principle that guided much of his community involvement.
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Authorities have not said what caused the Jeep to leave the roadway.
The crash remains under investigation.