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.