The city of Houston is mourning the loss of César Lerma following a helicopter crash on Sunday night. Lerma, along with two family members and a pilot, died when their helicopter collided with a radio tower during a night tour over the city. Authorities reported that the helicopter, operated by National Helicopter Solutions, was flying at about 600 feet and reached speeds of 108 miles per hour, as confirmed by Your London Calling from data provided by FlightAware.
Sergio Súniga, who knew Lerma for approximately a decade and worked near him, shared his memories in an interview with KPRC 2, "One thing about Cesar, is he was so passionate about what he did," Súniga recalled. He went on to describe how Lerma, a carpenter by trade, would often speak of his family, "He always talked about his family. . . It hurts us that someone who loved his family so much, that this would happen," according to a Click2Houston report. Lerma had left his job at the business mall in southeast Houston four years prior and moved to Pearland, but he maintained connections with those he left behind, often returning to visit.
Lerma's humility was recognized by his friends, regardless of his success. As described by Súniga, "He was the greatest humble man you could ever meet. I mean, imagine, driving a new Hummer, probably $100,000 and he would get out and hug you. 'How you doing Sergio? What do you need?'" shared Súniga in a report by Click2Houston.
As the investigation into the fatal crash continues, the National Transportation Safety Board is reviewing the pilot’s records as part of their probe into what caused this devastating incident. A sentiment reinforced by Súniga, also a pastor, "Believe it or not, you gotta live at your fullest. You know a lot of people preach it and say it, but a lot of people don't live it," as he told Click2Houston.
