Tragic Multi-Vehicle Accident Claims Lives of Four Indian Nationals in Texas
In a devastating accident on August 30, 2024, four Indian nationals, including two individuals from Hyderabad, lost their lives in a multi-vehicle collision in Anna, Texas. The victims have been identified as Aryan Raghunath Orampati, Farooq Shaik, Lokesh Palacharla, and Darshini Vasudevan.
The accident occurred around 3:30 PM as the victims were traveling to Bentonville, Arkansas, utilizing a carpooling service arranged through an app. Aryan Raghunath Orampati, a resident of Bentonville, was returning home after visiting a cousin in Dallas. Lokesh Palacharla was heading to Bentonville to reunite with his wife, and Darshini Vasudevan, a recent Master’s degree graduate from the University of Texas at Arlington, was en route to visit her uncle in Bentonville.
The collision was so severe that it resulted in the SUV catching fire, making the task of identifying the victims extremely challenging. Authorities are now employing DNA fingerprinting and dental records for identification, a process hindered by the extended holiday weekend in the United States.
Aryan Orampati, originally from Kukatpally, Hyderabad, had recently completed his engineering degree and was planning to extend his stay in the U.S. for an additional two years before returning to India. His father, Subhash Chandra Reddy, is a well-known business owner in Hyderabad.
Farooq Shaik, another victim from Hyderabad, had relocated to the U.S. three years ago to pursue his Master’s degree and had been residing in Bentonville. He was also a close friend of Aryan Orampati.
The families of the deceased are currently seeking assistance from Indian authorities, including External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, to expedite the identification process and facilitate the repatriation of their loved ones’ remains to India.
The tragic accident has left a significant impact on the Indian community both in Hyderabad and the U.S., with many expressing their condolences and support for the affected families during this difficult time.
