CHICAGO: A 25-year-old Indian student lost her life and six others were injured in a tragic two-vehicle collision on Interstate 65 near Crown Point, Indiana, just outside Chicago, late Saturday night. The deceased has been identified as Navya Gadusu, a resident of Chicago originally hailing from the Nalgonda district of Telangana. The Consulate General of India in Chicago expressed deep sadness over the tragic incident, offering heartfelt condolences to her family and confirming that they are coordinating with local authorities and community members to support the injured.
According to the Indiana State Police, the accident occurred around 11:15 p.m. when a red minivan carrying seven adults was traveling northbound at a very low speed—estimated between 10 and 15 mph—behind another vehicle experiencing mechanical issues. A trailing SUV failed to realize how slowly the minivan was moving; the driver attempted to swerve left to avoid a collision but ended up striking the left side of the minivan. The impact forced the minivan off the roadway, causing it to veer out of control and plunge into a ditch.
Investigating officers revealed that the minivan had been modified and was equipped with only its two standard front seats. The remaining five passengers, including the deceased student, were sitting in the back of the vehicle on boxes of mangoes without any seat belts or safety restraints. Emergency services rushed the injured passengers to nearby hospitals, where some remain in serious condition. Consulate officials are currently in contact with the bereaved family to facilitate the necessary procedures for repatriating Gadusu’s mortal remains to India.
