Temple visit ends in tragedy; Indian student dies in fatal road accident in United States

WASHINGTON: An Indian student died in a car accident while on her way to visit a temple in the United States. Prasanna Atluri (25), a native of Andhra Pradesh, died in the accident. She was travelling in a car with her friends when the accident occurred. The car in which the group was travelling stopped at a signal when a speeding vehicle rammed from behind.

Prasanna's friend died on the same day in the accident (July 5). Prasanna succumbed to her injuries while undergoing treatment. Another friend who was travelling with them in the accident is still undergoing treatment in the hospital with serious injuries. Prasanna had recently graduated from the Lubin School of Business at Pace University in the United States. University authorities and Indian student organisations expressed condolences over her unexpected demise.

Prasanna belongs to an ordinary farming family in NTR district of Andhra Pradesh. Her father, Atluri Vasantha Rao, is a farmer, and her mother runs a small bag manufacturing unit. Prasanna, the only hope for the family, was looking for employment opportunities after completing her studies in the US. The parents are struggling to raise the huge amount of money needed to repatriate their daughter's body. The Indian community and friends have started measures to help the family members and bring the body to India.

US police have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the accident. They are investigating on whether it was speeding or other technical malfunctions that led to the accident.