Four Indians Killed in Texas Truck-SUV Crash: Identifications Awaited Amidst Tragic Accident

Four Indians, including a woman, were tragically killed in a horrific accident involving a truck and an SUV in Texas. The victims, who had traveled to the U.S. for education and employment, were carpooling when the crash occurred.

The accident took place on Friday near Bentonville, Arkansas, as the SUV they were traveling in was hit by a fast-moving truck. The impact caused the vehicle to burst into flames, resulting in the deaths of all four occupants. The intensity of the fire made identification challenging, and authorities are relying on DNA testing to confirm their identities.

The deceased have been identified as Aryan Raghunath Orampati, Farooq Sheikh, Lokesh Palacharla, and Darshini Vasudevan. Orampati was returning from a visit to relatives in Dallas with his friend Farooq. Palacharla was traveling to meet his wife, while Vasudevan, who had recently completed her postgraduate degree at Texas University, was visiting her uncle in Bentonville. All four were using a carpooling app for their journey.

The identification process has been complicated by the severity of the accident, and the lengthy weekend has caused delays in confirming their identities. The families of the victims are anxiously awaiting updates.

Darshini Vasudevan's father had earlier reached out to India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar via social media, seeking assistance in locating his daughter. Vasudevan had been living in Frisco, Texas, and was active on her phone until a few hours before the crash.

Aryan Raghunath Orampati's father, Subhash Chandra Reddy, runs a company in Hyderabad. Aryan, an engineering graduate from Amrita University, had planned to return to India after graduation but decided to stay in the U.S. for work.

The tragic accident has cast a shadow over the families, who are grappling with the loss and the wait for official confirmation of their loved ones' identities.