Family remembers local Navy veteran killed in crash on Veterans Day

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A family is grieving the loss of Adrian Herrera, 31, who died in a Gulf Freeway crash in uniform Friday while he celebrated Veterans Day.

Carlos and Olivia Herrera describe their son as dedicated to his family, friends and country saying he knew he wanted to join the military since he was in elementary school.

"I think he started going down to the recruiting office when he was 13 or 14 trying to join," Olivia said.

Adrian served three tours in Iraq with the U.S. Navy and was active in the VFW when he came home a few years ago.

"Whenever Veterans Day would come, he would get dressed and go see his friends, go see the VFW guys," Carlos said.

That's why Friday, his family says he was in uniform driving when he took a curve too fast and crashed.

Police came to tell his family what happened.

"We opened the door for them, and as a mom, I knew. I saw the look on their face and I was praying that's not what they were going to say to me," Olivia said.

The family said the outpouring of support from friends and fellow veterans has been comforting.

"He was coming out of his shell. We didn't realize how many friends he had. It's unbelievable," Olivia said.

Funeral arrangements are pending.