Dalton, Georgia residents Jose and Isabel Lerma tragically lost their lives in a fiery Texas crash while on their way to visit family in Mexico. The crash occurred when a Honda, being pursued by sheriff’s deputies, collided head-on with the Lerma’s SUV. Their son, Jairo Lerma, is now left grieving and questioning the high-speed chase that led to his parents’ deaths. Jairo is working with his siblings to provide a proper burial for their parents, but they face financial and emotional obstacles. Jairo urges everyone to cherish their loved ones, as you never know when it could be the last time you see them. Gabriella Nunez reported
The tragic crash occurred when a Honda, being pursued by sheriff’s deputies, attempted to overtake an 18-wheeler and collided head-on with an SUV driven by Jose and Isabel Lerma. The couple, residents of Dalton, Georgia, were on their way to Mexico for a routine holiday visit to their son and his family. Jairo Lerma, their son, received a missed call from a deputy with the Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office, which immediately raised concerns for him. During the call, Jairo informed the deputy that his parents were heading to Mexico, but the deputy did not provide any further information and instead asked about their personal details. Jairo sensed that something was gravely wrong and began searching for answers.
Through news articles, Jairo discovered that his parents were involved in a devastating crash near San Antonio, Texas, which claimed the lives of eight individuals. The crash occurred when the Honda, still being chased by deputies, attempted to pass an 18-wheeler and collided with his parents’ SUV. Seeing images of the burning vehicle, which belonged to his parents, was incredibly difficult for Jairo. He tearfully expressed how it felt as though his world had crumbled, especially since he was the first person to find out about the tragedy.
Jairo’s parents, who are retired, often spent their holidays in Mexico with their other son and his family, while the rest of the year was spent in Georgia with Jairo and his two other siblings. Now, the five siblings are facing the painful task of organizing a proper burial for their parents while dealing with their own grief. Jairo tearfully questioned the need for the high-speed chase that led to their parents’ tragic death. He believed that with the technology available, there must be better approaches to apprehending suspects.
It was revealed that the deputies had been pursuing a suspected human smuggler, and the Honda, carrying five people, including a 17-year-old driver, was allegedly involved in smuggling activities. The deceased individuals, several of whom were from Honduras, could not be brought back, leaving Jairo to mourn his parents and worry about the potential for similar tragedies in the future.
Despite the immense pain, Jairo finds solace in his faith, which he shared with his mother. He described her as a devout Christian and a woman of prayer. He believes that one day, he will be reunited with her in heaven, and he hopes for God’s mercy for his father. In less than 24 hours after the crash, Jairo flew to San Antonio to navigate the burial procedures with the Mexican Consulate. However, the costly process of preparing the bodies in the U.S., transporting them to Mexico, and arranging memorial services has left the family financially burdened and unable to make progress.
Nevertheless, Jairo is determined to give his parents a proper burial in Mexico. He urges people to cherish their loved ones and express their love because they never know when it might be their last opportunity. The Lerma family has set up a link for those who wish to contribute to the costs of the services.
In conclusion, this tragic accident has left Jairo Lerma grieving the sudden loss of his parents, who were on their way to visit their family in Mexico. They became victims of a high-speed chase that ended in a collision, resulting in their deaths. Jairo is now left to navigate the difficult process of arranging a proper burial while dealing with his grief. He hopes that others will learn from his tragedy and appreciate the value of expressing love to their loved ones..