A tragic accident in Texas has claimed the lives of four Indian nationals, including a woman, in a devastating multi-vehicle collision. The victims were traveling together in an SUV when the accident occurred, which resulted in a fire that left their bodies charred beyond recognition. The authorities are currently relying on DNA testing to confirm the identities of the deceased.
The four individuals involved in the accident were identified as Aryan Raghunath Orampati, Farooq Shaik, Lokesh Palacharla, and Dharshini Vasudevan. All four victims had connected through a carpooling app, as they were heading to Bentonville, Arkansas. The collision took place on a Friday, turning what was supposed to be a routine journey into a heartbreaking tragedy.
Aryan Raghunath Orampati and Farooq Shaik, both from Hyderabad, were reportedly returning after visiting Aryan’s cousin in Dallas. Aryan, an engineering graduate from Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham in Coimbatore, had recently celebrated his convocation at the University of Texas. His parents had traveled to the U.S. in May to attend the ceremony. Despite their request for Aryan to return to India, he expressed his desire to work in the U.S. for a couple more years. Tragically, Aryan’s life was cut short in this accident. A relative shared, “Fate has struck like this.”
Farooq Shaik, a close friend of Aryan, had also recently completed his Master of Science degree and was living in Bentonville, Arkansas. Farooq’s father, Masthan Vali, is a retired private employee who resides in Hyderabad. Mr. Vali shared that Farooq had gone to the U.S. three years ago to pursue his graduate studies. His sister, who also resides in the U.S., is currently handling the situation.
Lokesh Palacharla was en route to Bentonville to reunite with his wife when the accident occurred. Dharshini Vasudevan, a Tamil Nadu native living in Frisco, Texas, had completed her Master’s degree at the University of Texas and was employed in the U.S. Dharshini was traveling to Bentonville to visit her uncle when she joined the carpool.
Dharshini Vasudevan’s father, in a desperate attempt to locate his daughter, had tagged External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in a Twitter post just days before the confirmation of her death. In his post, he mentioned that Dharshini had been in the U.S. for the last three years, first as a student and later as a working professional. He explained that she had last been in contact with her family around 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. on the day of the accident, after which all communication with her ceased. This loss of contact raised concerns and led to the involvement of authorities.
The crash reportedly occurred when a speeding truck rear-ended the SUV carrying the victims. The impact of the collision caused the vehicle to burst into flames, leading to the tragic deaths of all occupants. Due to the extent of the fire, the bodies were charred beyond recognition, making traditional identification methods impossible. Authorities have turned to DNA fingerprinting and dental analysis to confirm the identities of the victims. Samples from the remains will be matched with those of the victims’ parents to establish conclusive identification.
The tragic incident has left the families of the victims in a state of deep sorrow and anguish, compounded by delays in the identification process due to a long weekend in the U.S. The extended wait has only prolonged the suffering of the grieving families.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictability of life and the devastating impact that such accidents can have on the families and loved ones left behind. The victims were young individuals with promising futures, and their untimely deaths have sent shockwaves through their communities both in the U.S. and in India. The loss is immeasurable, and the thoughts and prayers of many are with the families as they navigate this incredibly difficult time.
