A tragic accident on Interstate 45 near Leona in Leon County claimed the lives of five members of a Houston family this past weekend when two pickup trucks collided head-on. In a report from Click2Houston, Texas Department of Public Safety stated the collision occurred approximately at 3:17 p.m. Saturday.
Investigations point to a southbound 2016 Dodge pickup veering off the right side of the road, hitting a guard rail, before crossing the interstate, overcoming a cable barrier, and striking a 2023 Ford F-150 traveling in the opposite direction. Texas Department of Public Safety identified the deceased as Hermenegildo Melendez, 55; Veronica Cerda, 53; Veronica Denise Cerda, 26; Rebecca Cerda, 20; and Daniela Cerda, 18, as reported by KHOU 11. The driver of the Ford F-150, Melendez, and all his passengers, who were family, were pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the Dodge, Toriano Fair, 43, from Dallas, was seriously injured and is currently receiving medical care. First responders from local volunteer fire departments and multiple emergency agencies responded to the fiery crash site.
Among those to reach the scene quickly were bystanders like Mujtaba Quadri, who "and his wife spotted smoke while going southbound on I-45." According to a statement he gave KHOU 11, Quadri and others tried to help, with him saying, "The fire was raging, I wish I was able to see the other people [in the truck] because I was on the driver's side, I only saw that one person." He added about his efforts and the driver of the Dodge, "Just imagine how we are feeling, like we couldn't save them and imagine what he's going to have to go through knowing what happened, and it's devastating." To help the surviving family members cope with the financial burden brought on by this tragedy, a GoFundMe account has been set up to assist with funeral expenses.
