Heartbreaking Tragedy on I-45: Crash Claims Lives of 5 Houston Family Members, Including Parents and Daughters
LEON COUNTY, TEXAS — A devastating crash on Saturday afternoon has left a Houston family shattered and a community in mourning. Five family members, identified as Hermenegildo Melendez, 60; Veronica Cerda, 44; Rebecca Cerda, 22; Daniela Cerda, 16; and an as-yet-unidentified young male, lost their lives in a horrific collision on Interstate 45 near Farm-to-Market Road 977 in Leon County.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, the fatal incident occurred shortly before 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 10, 2025. The family was reportedly traveling northbound on I-45 in a white Chevrolet Tahoe when the vehicle collided with a southbound 18-wheeler that had veered across the median under circumstances still under investigation.
Preliminary reports indicate that the driver of the semi-truck lost control, crossed the center divide, and plowed head-on into the family’s SUV. The force of the impact was so powerful that it caused the SUV to overturn, trapping all five occupants inside. First responders rushed to the scene, but tragically, none of the passengers in the Tahoe survived. Authorities confirmed that all five victims were pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators have not yet released the identity of the minor male passenger, who is believed to be a son or younger relative of the Cerda family. Efforts to notify all next of kin are ongoing.
A Family Remembered
Hermenegildo Melendez, the family patriarch, was known for his devotion to his family and strong work ethic. Friends describe him as a quiet, dependable man who had dedicated his life to supporting his children and extended relatives. Veronica Cerda, his partner and a loving mother, was beloved in her Houston neighborhood for her warmth and resilience. She worked long hours to support her children and was actively involved in local school and church functions.
Their daughters, Rebecca and Daniela, were bright lights with promising futures. Rebecca, 22, had recently graduated from college and was preparing to start her first full-time job. Daniela, just 16, was a high school sophomore known for her artistic talent and kind-hearted nature.
“This family was everything to each other. They were close-knit, always together, always supporting each other,” said a family friend through tears. “To lose them all at once—it’s just unimaginable.”
Community in Mourning
The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the Houston area, where the Cerda and Melendez families were deeply rooted. A memorial with flowers, candles, and handwritten messages has begun to grow outside the family’s home. Friends, neighbors, and church members gathered Saturday night for an impromptu vigil to honor the victims and share memories of the family that was taken too soon.
“I can’t wrap my head around it,” said Luz Hernandez, a neighbor. “I saw them just a few days ago, smiling, loading up the car to go on a weekend trip. Now they’re gone. We are all grieving.”
The Houston Independent School District also released a statement expressing its condolences. Daniela Cerda had attended high school within the district, and grief counselors have been made available to students and staff as news of her passing spreads.
Ongoing Investigation
The Texas DPS has confirmed that an investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the crash. Officials are working to reconstruct the collision, analyze dashcam footage, and determine whether driver error, mechanical failure, or road conditions played a role. The driver of the 18-wheeler, who survived the crash with non-life-threatening injuries, is cooperating with authorities and has undergone standard toxicology testing.
DPS officials have emphasized that no charges have been filed as of yet, and they are urging any witnesses who may have seen the crash or the truck’s movements prior to the incident to come forward.
A Call for Roadway Safety
This tragedy has reignited concerns about traffic safety on the I-45 corridor, a major thoroughfare that has seen multiple fatal accidents in recent years. Community leaders and safety advocates are calling for increased oversight of commercial trucking operations and more aggressive safety measures, particularly on rural stretches of the interstate like those in Leon County.
“Too many lives are being lost,” said Maricela Gutierrez, a local road safety advocate. “We need better barriers, more patrolling, and real accountability.”
Funeral Arrangements and Support Efforts
At this time, the family is working with a local funeral home to make arrangements to lay their loved ones to rest. A GoFundMe page has been created by extended relatives to help cover funeral expenses and establish a memorial in their honor. The fundraiser has already garnered an outpouring of support from the Houston community and beyond.
“We are heartbroken, and we thank everyone for their prayers, donations, and love,” the family wrote on the donation page. “Please continue to keep us in your thoughts.”
As the investigation continues, the Melendez and Cerda families ask for privacy and support in mourning the incomprehensible loss of five cherished lives.