LEON COUNTY, Texas – Multiple members of the same Houston family were killed in a crash on I-45 near the town of Leona in Leon County on Saturday.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), the crash happened at approximately 3:17 p.m. Saturday on Interstate 45 near FM 977.
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Officials say a 2016 Dodge pickup was traveling southbound when it went off the roadway to the right, struck a guard rail, went across the roadway into the center median, vaulted over the cable barrier, and struck a 2023 Ford F-150 traveling northbound head-on.
Both vehicles caught fire following the crash.
The driver of the Ford, Hermenegildo Melendez, 55, of Houston, was pronounced dead on the scene by Leon County Justice of the Peace Jeff Carr.
The passengers, Veronica Cerda, 53, of Houston; Veronica Denise Cerda, 26, of Houston; Rebecca Cerda, 20, of Houston; and Daniela Cerda, 18, of Houston, were also pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the Dodge, Toriano Fair, 43, of Dallas, was transported to CHI St. Joseph Regional Hospital – Bryan with suspected serious injuries.
The crash remains under investigation.