A tragic accident on the afternoon of Saturday, May 10 on Interstate 45 near Leona, Texas, left a devastating toll: five people dead and one more seriously injured, all of them of Hispanic origin.
The crash, described by authorities as of high magnitude, involved two pickup trucks and mobilized multiple emergency services in the state, just on the eve of Mother’s Day.
The victims: a Hispanic family from Houston
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) confirmed that the fatalities were identified as:
Hermenegildo Cerda, 55 years old (driver)
Verónica Cerda, 53 years old
Verónica Denise Cerda, 26 years old
Rebeca Cerda, 20 years old
Daniela Cerda, 18 years old
All of the occupants were traveling together in a 2023 Ford F-150 pickup truck with license plates from Houston, where they were residents.
They were going to celebrate Mother’s Day
The Cerda family was on their way to Dallas to spend Mother’s Day, which was to be celebrated the following day, Sunday, May 11, with Veronica’s sister’s family, according to Univision Noticias.
But the family reunion never materialized. Instead of hugs and celebration, devastating news arrived: all five family members were killed in a crash.
On the evening of Saturday, May 10, several family members began to worry, since it was time for them to arrive and they still had not heard from them.
One of the girls in the family, concerned about not being able to communicate with her cousin Rebecca, decided to use her cell phone to track the shared location.
What she found sent her into a state of alert: the last location of Rebecca’s phone showed Centerville, with an update that was already seven hours old.
This area coincided with a stretch of high traffic road where accidents had been reported in the past.
Moments later, the phone rang: It was a friend of Veronica’s, whom she had registered as an emergency contact on her driver’s license.
The woman had been notified by the authorities after the accident and, in a broken voice, told the Cerda’s that the family had been involved in a fatal accident.
The surviving driver
The other truck involved, a 2016 model year Dodge pickup, was driven by Toriano Fair, 43, originally from Dallas.
According to DPS, the man was rushed to Bryan Hospital with serious injuries, although he was reported conscious and babbling at the time he was rescued by civilians and emergency crews.
According to the preliminary DPS report, the accident happened around 3:17 p.m. Saturday at mile marker 157 on northbound I-45.
Authorities indicated that the Dodge pickup truck, which was traveling southbound, left the roadway to the right, struck a metal barrier and then crossed the center median, crossing the divider wires and ultimately impacting the Ford F-150 head-on.
The impact was so violent that both vehicles were engulfed in flames.
First on the scene were members of the Centerville and Leona volunteer fire departments, who worked hard to extinguish the fire and recover the victims trapped in the wreckage.
Witnesses tried to help
Mujtaba Quadri, a witness to the accident who was traveling on the same road with his wife, told KHOU 11 that when they saw the smoke they stopped to help.
The fire was intense. I tried to put it out with a bottle of water, but it wasn't enough
Mujtaba Quadri
Quadri and other good Samaritans managed to get the surviving driver out and placed him on a stretcher improvised with blankets.
GoFundMe page launched
A family member of the victims created a GoFundMe account to cover the funeral expenses of the five members of the Cerda family, generating a wave of solidarity among the Hispanic community in Houston and other nearby counties.
“With heavy hearts, we share the tragic loss of the Cerda-Hermenegildo Cerda family, Veronica Cerda, and their daughters Veronica Denis Cerda, Rebecca Cerda and the youngest, Daniela Cerda,” begins the plea on GoFundMe.
“On Saturday, their lives were sadly taken in a devastating car accident that claimed the lives of the entire family.
“They were a close-knit, loving family, known for their warmth, kindness and deep love for each other.
“Their sudden departure has left an immense void in the hearts of all who knew them, and their absence will be felt forever,” the fundraising page adds.
The goal is to raise $50,000 to cover funeral and memorial expenses to give them the dignified farewell they deserve.
Response from the authorities
Emergency medical teams (EMS), including CHI St. Joseph Health Medic 71, EMS 4 and Air Med 12 North, in addition to the Texas Highway Patrol and the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, also responded to the scene.
Boren To Tow and Drake’s Wrecker Service assisted with the removal of the vehicles.
The DPS will conduct a formal investigation of the accident, including a review of mechanical conditions, speed tests and possible distractions at the wheel.
A useful note for U.S. Hispanic readers
If you drive on the road, keep your attention 100% on the steering wheel, avoid distractions and make sure you get plenty of rest before long trips.
Many fatal accidents occur due to sudden departures from the road, speeding or drowsiness.
Also, if you witness an accident, call 911 immediately and avoid putting yourself in direct danger.
Helping is valuable, but personal safety should always come first.
For more news, visit QueOnnda.com.
