Indians Killed in Texas Accident: Four Indian nationals, including a woman, tragically lost their lives in a devastating multi-vehicle crash in Texas on Friday. The victims, who were identified as Aryan Raghunath Orampati, Farooq Shaik, Lokesh Palacharla, and Dharshini Vasudevan, had connected through a carpooling app and were en route to Bentonville, Arkansas, when their journey ended in a fatal accident.
The crash, which involved five vehicles, resulted in a fire that engulfed the SUV the victims were traveling in, leaving their bodies charred beyond recognition. Authorities are relying on DNA testing to confirm their identities.
The Accident and Investigation
According to reports, the crash occurred when a speeding truck rammed into the SUV carrying the victims, causing the vehicle to burst into flames. The severity of the fire has made identification of the bodies challenging, with authorities now relying on DNA fingerprinting and dental records to confirm the identities of the deceased. The long weekend in the US has further delayed the identification process, adding to the anguish of the victims’ families.
This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of life and the profound impact such events have on the families left behind. As the investigation continues, the families of the victims are left waiting for closure in the midst of their immense grief.
Victims’ Backgrounds
Aryan Raghunath Orampati and his friend Farooq Shaik, both from Hyderabad, had been returning from a visit to Orampati’s cousin in Dallas. Lokesh Palacharla, another passenger, was traveling to Bentonville to reunite with his wife. Dharshini Vasudevan, originally from Tamil Nadu and a graduate of the University of Texas, was on her way to visit her uncle in Bentonville.
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The tragic incident has left the victims’ families in deep grief. Dharshini Vasudevan’s father had desperately sought assistance from External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar via Twitter after losing contact with his daughter. His emotional appeal highlighted the last moments when Dharshini was still reachable.
Aryan Raghunath Orampati, an engineering graduate from Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham in Coimbatore, had recently celebrated his convocation with his parents in May. Despite their pleas for him to return to India, Aryan chose to stay in the US to gain work experience, a decision that has now left his family devastated.
Farooq Shaik’s father, Masthan Vali, shared that his son had moved to the US three years ago to pursue his Master’s degree, which he had recently completed. Farooq’s sister, who also resides in the US, is now managing the tragic situation on behalf of the family.
