Veronica Cerda dies in fatal Leon County car crash

Veronica Cerda dies in fatal Leon County car crash

Fatal Leon County car crash death of Veronica Cerda – Obituary

Veronica Cerda, 53, of Houston, lost her life in a devastating crash that claimed five lives Saturday afternoon in Leon County. The tragic incident happened on the northbound lanes of Interstate 45 near Leona around 3:17 p.m.

According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, a 2016 Dodge pickup heading south left the roadway, struck a guardrail, and then vaulted over the median cable barrier. The truck collided head-on with a northbound 2023 Ford F-150. Both vehicles burst into flames upon impact.

Volunteer fire crews from Centerville and Leona rushed to the scene to extinguish the blaze and recover the victims trapped in the wreckage. Veronica Cerda was among the five people pronounced dead at the scene by Leon County Justice of the Peace Jeff Carr.

Veronica was a passenger in the Ford F-150, which was driven by 55-year-old Hermenegildo Melendez, who also died in the collision. Also killed were her daughters, Veronica Denise Cerda, 26; Rebecca Cerda, 20; and Daniela Cerda, 18.

The driver of the Dodge, 43-year-old Toriano Fair of Dallas, survived but suffered serious injuries and was taken to CHI St. Joseph Regional Hospital in Bryan.

Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the fatal crash.