A trip meant to celebrate Mother’s Day turned deadly for a Houston family after a fiery head-on collision along a stretch of Interstate 45 claimed five lives.

Daily Mail reported that a family of five from Houston’s Greenspoint area was tragically killed in a devastating highway crash on Saturday, May 10, 2025, after their northbound vehicle was struck head-on by a pickup truck that crossed the median near mile marker 157.

The fatal collision happened just after 3 p.m. as 55-year-old Hermenegildo Melendez, 53-year-old Veronica Cerda, and their daughters—26-year-old Denise, 20-year-old Rebecca, and 18-year-old Daniela—were traveling in a 2023 Ford F-150 en route to Dallas to celebrate Mother’s Day together.

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), the family’s vehicle was struck by a 2016 Dodge pickup driven by 42-year-old Toriano Fair of Dallas. Fair was heading southbound when his truck veered off the road, hit a guardrail, broke through a median cable barrier, and crashed directly into the family’s vehicle.

Fiery collision leaves no survivors in the family vehicle

The aftermath was instant and catastrophic. Both vehicles burst into flames, leaving bystanders horrified and desperate to render aid before emergency personnel arrived. Several Good Samaritans who witnessed the thick smoke rushed to the scene in hopes of helping those trapped inside.

Among them was Mujtaba Quadri and his wife, who described pulling over without hesitation after witnessing the smoke rise in the distance. He shared with KHOU 11 News that multiple civilians worked together in an attempt to extinguish the blaze using water bottles and blankets, but their efforts were tragically limited to pulling only the Dodge’s driver from the wreckage.

“There were at least seven people there, everybody actively just doing something,” Quadri said. He added that he could only see the driver’s side of the pickup and wished he had been able to reach the other vehicle.

Emergency response teams mobilize in the wake of devastating crash

First responders from multiple agencies—Centerville and Leona Volunteer Fire Departments, CHI St. Joseph Health EMS, Air Med 12 North, the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, and the Texas Highway Patrol—worked to douse the flames and recover the victims.

The Cerda family was pronounced dead at the scene by a Justice of the Peace. Toriano Fair, who survived the crash, was pulled from his truck in critical condition and transported to a nearby hospital. Authorities have not released an update on his condition but confirmed that the DPS is continuing to investigate the cause of the crash.

The fire damage was so extensive that it required intensive suppression measures from both fire departments and towing services to clear the debris and wreckage from the highway.

Outpouring of grief and remembrance from friends, community

Friends and loved ones of the Cerda family have shared their heartbreak publicly, with many describing the group as deeply united and loving. Jillian De Haro, a close friend of the eldest daughter, told Click 2 Houston that losing the entire family was "devastating" and "unreal."

“It just rips my heart out,” De Haro shared. “They were a close-knit family.” She recounted being shocked and grief-stricken when she learned the news: “All I remember saying, as soon as I hung up, my mom was like, ‘What’s wrong?’ Cause I started crying. I just remember saying, ‘Vero and her whole family passed away.’”

GoFundMe launched to support funeral and memorial costs

As the family faces the unimaginable task of laying five loved ones to rest, a GoFundMe page created by a relative on Monday, May 12, has raised over $70,800 toward its $90,000 goal. Proceeds will cover funeral and memorial expenses.

The fundraiser described the family as known for their “deep love for one another” and their presence as something that “left a deep void in the hearts of everyone who knew them.” The page also urged the public to support in any way they can—be it through donations, sharing the page, or offering thoughts and prayers.

“In times of tragedy,” the statement read, “even the smallest acts of kindness can bring light into darkness.”

Lessons to learn from this tragedy

1. Highway safety barriers play a vital role. The pickup truck that caused the crash was able to cross a median despite a cable barrier being present. Drivers should remain vigilant, and road authorities must ensure these barriers meet current safety standards to prevent vehicles from crossing into oncoming lanes.

2. Crisis response training can make a difference. Though dozens of people stopped to help following the crash, most lacked the necessary equipment or training to save those trapped. While heroism like Quadri’s is invaluable, more individuals trained in emergency response could increase the chances of survival in such incidents.

3. Tragedies can strike anyone, at any time. The Cerda family was simply en route to a joyful celebration.

No one is immune to sudden loss, and while safety precautions help, they cannot prevent every accident. It’s important to remember to never blame victims, as these events can happen to anyone.

Why this story matters

This horrific crash serves as a stark reminder of how quickly life can change, underscoring the importance of improved traffic safety and emergency preparedness. It also calls attention to the resilience and compassion within our communities, as seen in the Good Samaritans’ efforts and the outpouring of support for the grieving family. Above all, the story unites a community in mourning, reminding us of the value of every moment with loved ones.

Conclusion

On the afternoon of May 10, the Cerda family’s lives were tragically cut short when a Dodge pickup truck crashed head-on into their vehicle on Interstate 45 in Leon County. The truck, driven by Toriano Fair, crossed the median after striking a guardrail and caused a fiery crash that claimed all five lives inside the family's truck. Fair was critically injured and remains hospitalized.

The family, remembered for their deep love and unity, is mourned by loved ones and community members alike. Meanwhile, a GoFundMe page continues to raise funds to assist with burial costs as DPS officials probe the cause of the crash. This devastating event has sparked conversations around highway safety, emergency response, and the fragility of life.