A 25-year-old Indian student from Telangana lost her life, while six others suffered injuries in a road accident near Chicago in the United States on Saturday night, authorities confirmed.
The crash took place at approximately 11:15 pm on Interstate 65 near Crown Point in Lake County, Indiana.
According to the Indiana State Police, a red minivan carrying seven adults was moving slowly behind another vehicle that had developed mechanical problems.
The victim was identified as Navya Gadusu, a native of Telangana’s Nalgonda district who had been residing in Chicago. The Lake County Coroner’s Office declared her dead at 12:16 am on Sunday.
Officials stated that Gadusu succumbed to blunt force traumatic injuries sustained during the collision.
Investigators said a vehicle approaching from behind failed to recognise the reduced speed of the minivan and attempted to avoid impact by swerving to the left. Despite the manoeuvre, the car collided with the left side of the minivan, pushing it off the road and into a ditch. Police clarified that the vehicle experiencing mechanical trouble was not directly involved in the accident.
Preliminary findings revealed that the minivan was equipped with only two front seats, while the remaining five passengers were reportedly seated on boxes of mangoes without wearing seat belts.
Several passengers sustained serious injuries in the incident. Four of the injured were initially admitted to nearby hospitals before being transferred to medical centres in the Chicago area for advanced treatment.
The Indian Consulate General in Chicago expressed grief over Gadusu’s death and stated that support was being extended to the victims and their families.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic passing away of Indian student Navya Gadusu in a road accident near Chicago. Our heartfelt condolences to her family and friends during this difficult time,” the Consulate said in a post on X.
The Consulate further said it remained in contact with the deceased student’s family, friends, and members of the Indian community who were assisting those injured in the accident.
