California Highway Section Dedicated to Fallen Soldier

Drive along a stretch of Highway 198 in Kings County, California, south of Fresno, and drivers will find part of it named after a fallen soldier from the area, who fulfilled his dream of serving the country.

"Once he had a goal in mind, he was someone who would work hard to achieve it," said Karen Covarrubias, who lost her brother, Army Specialist Juan Covarrubias in 2020. "He was an amazing and inspiring man."

Juan Covarrubias, 27, was killed by an enemy rocket attack at Camp Taji, a military base located 20 miles north of Baghdad, Iraq. The attack was in retaliation for a targeted drone attack by American Forces at Baghdad International Airport which targeted Iraqi Major General Qassim Soleimani.

Covarrubias died doing exactly what he set out to do. In return, his family, friends and community leaders worked hard for the last six years to get a sign in his honor along Highway 198. Last week, the stretch of road was dedicated to Covarrubias in front of a crowd of family, friends and dignitaries.

"I've very proud," said his sister Karen. "I didn't realize so many people would be able to come and witness such a gift. That was amazing to see.

But honor almost didn't happen.

Covarrubias was born in Delano, California, attended schools in Hanford, graduated from high school in 2010 and Lemoore College in 2017. He enlisted in the Army in 2018.

After Covarrubias' death in 2020, his family started the process of trying to secure the highway dedication with the help of a local assemblyman. It was approved, but languished for years after the assemblyman retired, leaving the family at square one.

"A mutual connection put the family in touch with me and I made a few phone calls on their behalf," said Henry Perea, a retired Fresno County Supervisor who also sits of the board of the California High Speed Rail Authority. "Turns out the paperwork was still on file. We just needed to raise about $8,000 to make sign and designate the roadway, which took about four months."

The date of the dedication, Wednesday February 11, 2026, saw old classmates and comrades, family and friends, officials and highway patrol officers gathered for the historic honor.

"We unveiled it, and had a nice ceremony," said Perea of the Army Specialist Juan Miguel Mendez Covarrubias Memorial Highway sign. "Some veterans attended, there was a flag raising. It was just beautiful."

Specialist Covarrubias' sister Karen says it a fitting tribute for her brother, who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

"He was a soldier, not just in form, but someone who took his role as a protector, a brother, friend, and son, very seriously," said Covarrubias. "I hope people will drive by the highway sign and along the stretch of road and know how special my brother was, not only to our family, but to the community and his comrades."

Covarrubias is survived by three siblings and his parents, Alfredo and Monica Covarrubias.