{"id":1523,"date":"2026-06-08T18:03:30","date_gmt":"2026-06-08T22:03:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/inhishands\/?p=1523"},"modified":"2026-06-08T18:03:30","modified_gmt":"2026-06-08T22:03:30","slug":"5-family-members-including-4-year-old-twins-killed-in-fiery-crash","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/inhishands\/2026\/06\/5-family-members-including-4-year-old-twins-killed-in-fiery-crash\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Family Members, Including 4-Year-Old Twins, Killed in Fiery Crash While Traveling to Relative\u2019s Graduation"},"content":{"rendered":"
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GoFundMe<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A family traveling to celebrate a college graduation in Arizona never made it to the ceremony after a devastating crash in Southern California claimed the lives of five relatives, including 4-year-old twin girls.<\/p>\n

The tragic accident happened on May 22 in San Bernardino County when the family\u2019s vehicle was reportedly t-boned and burst into flames along State Route 62 near Freda, according to ABC7<\/a> and the Los Angeles Times.<\/p>\n

The victims were identified as Sergio Leon, 38, of Fresno; his wife, Herminia Hernandez, 39; their 4-year-old twin daughters, Naomi and Nyah Leon; and Sergio\u2019s brother, Antonio Leon, 36. Authorities also confirmed that the other driver, identified as 60-year-old Holly Chafey, died at the scene.<\/p>\n

The San Bernardino County coroner said all six victims were pronounced dead at the crash site.<\/p>\n

The Leon family had been driving to Arizona for a relative\u2019s graduation when loved ones realized something was terribly wrong.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe had family members starting to arrive,\u201d cousin Itzia Zamarripa told KMPH Fox26 News. \u201cAs they were arriving, that family \u2014 Sergio, Antonio, Nyah, Naomi, and Mini \u2014 never showed up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Zamarripa later received a call indicating the missing family may have been involved in the fatal collision.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis car so happened to go into the back of the truck as they entered into the lane and ended up perpendicular to my cousin,\u201d she explained. \u201cSo my cousins had no time to react at all.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey t-boned that car and immediately burst it into flames,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n

The heartbreaking loss has shaken relatives and the wider community, especially because Naomi and Nyah were only days away from graduating preschool on June 3.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re numb,\u201d Zamarripa said. \u201cIt\u2019s been devastating.\u201d<\/p>\n

Another family member, Cesar Sanchez, launched a GoFundMe<\/a> campaign to help cover funeral and memorial expenses. As of early June, the fundraiser had raised nearly $30,000.<\/p>\n

In the fundraiser tribute, Sanchez described the victims as \u201ca family defined by love, laughter, devotion and unwavering support for one another.\u201d<\/p>\n

He remembered Sergio for his \u201chardworking spirit\u201d and \u201cgenerous heart,\u201d while describing Herminia as someone with a \u201cbeautiful soul\u201d who \u201ctouched countless lives.\u201d<\/p>\n

Antonio was remembered for his \u201cloyal heart,\u201d while Naomi and Nyah were described as little girls who \u201cbrought endless joy, innocence, laughter and light into the world\u201d during their short lives.<\/p>\n

Sanchez also shared a touching glimpse into the family\u2019s personality, noting that Sergio and Antonio were devoted Las Vegas Raiders fans who jokingly rivaled Herminia, a passionate San Francisco 49ers supporter.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe impact each of them made on their family, friends, and community will never be forgotten,\u201d Sanchez wrote.<\/p>\n

Stories like this leave many people struggling to understand how tragedy can strike so suddenly. For believers, moments like these are reminders to hold loved ones close, cherish every day, and pray for families walking through unimaginable grief.<\/p>\n

Please continue praying for the Leon and Hernandez families as they mourn this heartbreaking loss.<\/p>\n

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we ask You to comfort every grieving loved one affected by this tragedy. Surround this family with Your peace, strength, and hope in the midst of overwhelming sorrow. Help them feel Your presence in the days ahead and remind them they are not alone. In Jesus\u2019 name, amen.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A family traveling to celebrate a college graduation in Arizona never made it to the ceremony after a devastating crash in Southern California claimed the lives of five relatives, including 4-year-old twin girls. The tragic accident happened on May 22 in San Bernardino County when the family\u2019s vehicle was reportedly t-boned and burst into flames…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":462,"featured_media":1526,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fbia_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1523","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\n5 Family Members, Including 4-Year-Old Twins, Killed in Fiery Crash While Traveling to Relative\u2019s Graduation<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Five family members, including 4-year-old twin girls, were killed in a fiery California crash while traveling to a graduation.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" 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