A 25-year-old Indian student, Navya Gadusu, died in a road accident near Chicago late Saturday night, while six others sustained injuries in the crash. The accident occurred on Interstate 65 near the city of Crown Point in Lake County, Indiana, according to local authorities. Emergency personnel responded to the scene shortly after the collision and rushed the injured victims to medical treatment.

The Lake County Coroner’s Office confirmed that Gadusu was pronounced dead at 12:16 am on Sunday. Officials said the cause of death was blunt-force traumatic injuries suffered during the crash. Authorities have not yet released additional personal details about the victim, but the incident has drawn condolences from members of the Indian community as well as diplomatic officials in the United States.

The Consulate General of India in Chicago expressed grief over the student’s death and said it was in contact with the victim’s family. In a statement posted on social media platform X, the Consulate conveyed condolences to Gadusu’s relatives and friends while also acknowledging the efforts of community members assisting those injured in the accident. Officials said support was being extended to the affected individuals during the difficult period.

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According to the Indiana State Police, the crash took place around 11:15 pm when a red minivan carrying seven adults was traveling slowly behind another vehicle experiencing mechanical problems. Police said the minivan was moving at approximately 10 to 15 miles per hour on the highway when another approaching car failed to realize its reduced speed in time. The driver of the second vehicle attempted to swerve left to avoid a direct collision.

Investigators said the vehicle struck the left side of the minivan, causing it to veer off the roadway and fall into a ditch. Authorities confirmed that the vehicle with mechanical issues, which the minivan had been following, was not involved in the collision. Emergency responders later discovered that the minivan had only two installed front seats, while the remaining passengers were reportedly sitting on boxes of mangoes without seat belts.

Police are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash, including safety violations related to passenger seating arrangements. The accident has once again highlighted concerns regarding road safety and passenger protection on US highways. Indian students form a significant international community across the United States, and incidents involving fatalities abroad often prompt diplomatic assistance and community outreach efforts from Indian missions.

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