New Delhi: Two Indian students in the United States were killed in a head-on collision near Lake Pleasant in Arizona, according to police. The victims, both from Telangana, have been identified as Nivesh Mukka and Goutham Parsi, both 19. They were enrolled at Arizona State University, studying computer science engineering.
The collision occurred around 6.18 pm on April 20, reported news agency PTI. Mukka and Parsi died on the spot.
The collision involved a white 2024 Kia Forte, in which the victims were passengers, and a red 2022 Ford F150.
The driver of the Kia, who sustained serious injuries, was rushed to a local hospital but has since been discharged. The driver of the Ford F150, the sole occupant of the vehicle, was also hospitalised with serious injuries but has been released, PTI reported, based on a police statement.
Following the accident, the area remained closed for several hours as authorities conducted an investigation. Normal traffic resumed Sunday morning. The cause of the collision is still under investigation.
The Peoria Police Department expressed condolences, stating, "Our thoughts are with the victims, their families, and everybody who rendered aid during this tragic incident."
In response to the incident, Arizona State University's International Students and Scholars Centre is collaborating with the dean of students, counselling services, and housing representatives to identify and support the fellow students, friends, and roommates of the victims.
Mukka's parents are both doctors. The two families have reportedly sought the Indian government's help to bring back their bodies.
The incident comes in the wake of of a series of deaths of Indian students in US. With close to a dozen student fatalities recorded in the first four months of this year. The deaths further raise the toll of Indian students killed in recent months.