A devastating two-vehicle collision on Interstate 65 near Crown Point, Indiana has claimed the life of a 25-year-old Telugu master’s student and left several others injured. The crash occurred around 11:15 p.m. on Saturday, May 16, 2026, on the northbound lanes approximately one mile south of the Crown Point exit. The incident involved a 2016 Dodge minivan carrying seven adults and a 2015 Chevrolet Suburban.
Navya Gadusu, a 25-year-old resident of Chicago originally from Nalgonda district in Telangana, was identified as the victim who lost her life in the crash. She was transported to a hospital following the collision but succumbed to her injuries. Navya was pursuing her master’s degree and was among a group of Telugu students who were reportedly celebrating their recent graduation.
Three other passengers from the minivan sustained injuries in the crash and were initially taken to local Lake County hospitals. They were later transferred to medical facilities in the Chicago area for specialized treatment. According to community sources, two of the injured individuals remain in critical condition, while three others suffered less severe injuries. The group consisted of six Telugu master’s students in total.
The Indiana State Police investigation revealed that the minivan was traveling at an extremely slow speed of 10-15 mph in the right lane. The vehicle was following another car that was experiencing mechanical problems, though that vehicle was not involved in the actual collision. The driver of the Suburban failed to notice the minivan’s slow speed in time and attempted to swerve left to avoid impact.
Despite the evasive maneuver, the Suburban struck the left side of the minivan with significant force, pushing the smaller vehicle into the right ditch. Police officials confirmed that no impairment, adverse weather conditions, or other external factors contributed to the crash. The investigation is ongoing to determine if any traffic violations occurred.
A critical safety concern emerged during the investigation when authorities discovered that only the two front seats of the minivan were properly occupied. The five rear passengers were sitting on boxes of mangoes without seat belts, which significantly increased the severity of injuries sustained in the crash. This dangerous seating arrangement violated basic vehicle safety regulations and contributed to the tragic outcome.
The collision forced the closure of northbound I-65 for approximately two hours while emergency responders worked at the scene and investigators documented the crash site. Traffic was diverted during this period as authorities cleared the wreckage and gathered evidence. The highway reopened in the early morning hours of Sunday.
The incident has deeply affected the Telugu diaspora community across the United States, with an outpouring of grief and support on social media platforms. Community members have been sharing prayers for the injured students and expressing condolences to the families affected by this tragedy. The victims were traveling together following their graduation celebrations when the fatal accident occurred.
