Hermenegildo Melendez, Veronica Cerda, Veronica Denise Cerda, Rebecca Cerda, Daniela Cerda: Tragic Saturday Crash on I-45 in Leon County Claims Lives of Houston Family of Five
On May 10, 2025, at approximately 3:17 p.m., a head-on collision on I-45 near Farm-to-Market Road 977 in Leon County, Texas, killed five Houston family members: Hermenegildo Melendez, 55; Veronica Cerda, 53; Veronica Denise Cerda, 26; Rebecca Cerda, 20; and Daniela Cerda, 18. A 2016 Dodge pickup, driven by Brandon Alexander Gregg, 27, of Buffalo, Texas, traveled southbound in the northbound lanes, struck a guardrail, vaulted over a cable barrier, and collided with the family’s 2023 Ford F-150. Both vehicles caught fire, and all occupants were pronounced dead at the scene.
Victims
- Hermenegildo Melendez: 55, driver, a devoted father and provider in Houston’s Hispanic community.
- Veronica Cerda: 53, Melendez’s wife, a nurturing mother known for community involvement.
- Veronica Denise Cerda: 26, eldest daughter, a healthcare worker with a compassionate spirit.
- Rebecca Cerda: 20, college student, aspiring graphic designer with a passion for the arts.
- Daniela Cerda: 18, recent high school graduate, accepted into a competitive university program.
Investigation
The Texas Department of Public Safety is investigating, focusing on:
- Why Gregg drove the wrong way, with possible factors including speed, impairment, or distraction.
- Effectiveness of the cable barrier and road design on I-45.
- Evidence from vehicle data recorders and witness accounts.
- Pending toxicology reports to assess alcohol or drug involvement.
Community Response
Houston’s Hispanic community held a vigil on May 11, 2025, with hundreds mourning the family. A GoFundMe has raised over $50,000 for funeral costs. Social media tributes on X call for road safety reforms, with hashtags like #JusticeForMelendezCerda. Local leaders and schools are offering support, including counseling services.
Broader Implications
The crash highlights Texas’s highway safety challenges, including:
- Wrong-way driving risks, with I-45 seeing similar incidents.
- Need for advanced detection systems and stronger median barriers.
- Importance of public awareness and rural EMS capabilities.
Conclusion
The loss of the Melendez-Cerda family is a profound tragedy that demands action. Their legacy inspires Houston’s push for safer roads, with advocacy for infrastructure upgrades and prevention measures to ensure such crashes are not repeated.
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