Sergio Leon, Herminia Hernandez, Twin Daughters Killed in Tragic Crash

A Fresno family of five — including two 4-year-old girls who were days away from graduating preschool — was killed in a fiery collision on a San Bernardino County highway last month while traveling to celebrate a relative’s college graduation. The crash occurred on the morning of Friday, May 22, on eastbound State Route 62 near the city of Freda, when the California Highway Patrol responded to reports of a multi-vehicle crash.

Inside the car were Sergio Leon, his brother Antonio Leon, Sergio’s wife Herminia Hernandez, and the couple’s twin daughters, Nyah and Naomi, both 4 years old. A sixth person — the driver of the other vehicle involved — also died in the crash, according to the ABC7 report.

According to family cousin Itzia Zamarripa, relatives who had already arrived in Arizona for the graduation noticed that Sergio, Antonio, Herminia, Nyah, and Naomi never showed up. What began as a cross-state trip for a family milestone ended with a phone call no family expects to receive.

If you or a loved one have been injured in a car accident, our attorneys in Los Angeles are available for a free and confidential consultation.

Sergio Leon and Herminia Hernandez’s Car Crash

Zamarripa described the sequence of events leading to the impact. She said another vehicle entered the lane and struck the rear of a truck, sending it perpendicular into the path of her cousins’ car. The family had no time to react before their vehicle was struck broadside and immediately engulfed in flames.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department confirmed the twins were pronounced dead at the scene. At the time of reporting, three of the five family members had been positively identified. The investigation remained ongoing.

The timing of the deaths added another layer of grief to an already devastating loss. Nyah and Naomi were scheduled to graduate from preschool on Wednesday, June 3 — the same week their funerals would need to be planned.

Family members remembered Sergio and Antonio Leon as very close brothers who shared a warm football rivalry. Herminia, Sergio’s wife, was known for her warmth, compassion, and motherly love.

“We’re numb. We’re just — it’s been devastating,” Zamarripa said. “The outpour of support from everybody has been great. So many people have been affected by this loss.”

What Families Need to Know After a Fatal Car Crash

When a crash kills multiple family members, surviving relatives are often left navigating grief while simultaneously confronting a legal and financial situation most people are unprepared for. California law provides avenues for compensation in wrongful death cases, and understanding those rights early can make a significant difference.

In a collision where a driver’s negligent lane change or loss of vehicle control contributes to the deaths of others, California’s wrongful death statutes allow surviving family members — including parents, siblings, and other dependents — to seek damages for loss of financial support, loss of companionship, funeral and burial expenses, and related costs. California also allows survival actions, which permit the estate to recover damages the deceased would have been entitled to had they survived.

Critically, evidence in these cases — dashcam footage, witness statements, CHP crash reports, skid marks, and vehicle black box data — can disappear quickly. Families who may have legal claims should consult with an attorney as soon as possible to ensure that evidence is preserved and their rights are protected before the statute of limitations begins to run.

A GoFundMe has been set up on behalf of the Leon and Hernandez families to help cover burial and related expenses.

If you or someone you know has lost a family member in a serious car accident, our firm is here to help. We offer free consultations and handle wrongful death cases on a contingency basis — you pay nothing unless we recover for you.