A tragic five-car accident in Texas last week claimed the lives of four Indian students, sending shockwaves through the community. The victims, all young and aspiring, were identified as Aryan Raghunath Orampati, Dharshini Vasudevan, Farooq Shaik, and Lokesh Palacharla. They were carpooling on August 30 from Frisco, Texas to Bentonville, Arkansas, where they had planned to spend the long weekend.
The devastating crash occurred when a speeding truck slammed into the SUV they were traveling in, causing it to burst into flames. The impact was so severe that the four bodies were tragically charred beyond recognition. Authorities utilized DNA testing and information retrieved from the carpooling app to confirm the identities of the victims.
The incident sparked widespread concern and uncertainty for the families of the deceased. A long weekend in the US further delayed the identification process, leaving their loved ones anxiously awaiting news.
Aryan Orampati, a graduate engineer from Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham in Coimbatore, had recently completed his Masters degree from the University of Texas. He was returning to Arkansas after visiting his cousin in Texas and planned to work in the US for a few years before returning home. His father, Subhash Chandra Reddy, owns Max Agri Genetics, a Hyderabad-based firm.
Farooq Shaik, also from Hyderabad, had traveled to the US in 2021 to pursue his Master’s degree. His father, Masthan Vali, shared that his son was in contact with his daughter, who also lives in the US, and is helping navigate the difficult situation.
Dharshini Vasudevan, a native of Tamil Nadu, had completed her Masters Degree from the University of Texas and was employed in the US. Her father, Vasudevan, reached out to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on August 31, seeking help after losing contact with his daughter. He expressed his deep worry about her well-being, as she had been actively messaging and reachable by phone until the evening of the accident.
Lokesh Palacharla was on his way to meet his wife. Further details about his life and background are yet to be released.
This heartbreaking incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers on our roads and the devastating impact accidents can have on families and communities. The tragic loss of these young lives is a profound loss for their families, friends, and the entire Indian community in the US.
