Two young women from Telangana, who were roommates in the United States, tragically lost their lives in a devastating car accident during a trip to California. Their families back home in India are now grappling with immense grief and the daunting task of arranging for their last rites, turning to crowdfunding for support.
A Dream Journey Ends in Tragedy
The victims have been identified as Kadiyala Bhavana and P Meghana Rani, both 24 years old. Hailing from the Mahbubabad district in Telangana, both women completed their B.Tech in the state before moving to the United States over two years ago to pursue their Master's degrees. After completing their studies recently, they had stayed back in the US to search for job opportunities and were sharing an apartment in Dayton, Ohio.
The fatal incident occurred on Sunday evening, December 28, 2025. The friends were on a holiday trip to California over the Christmas break when their car met with a catastrophic accident. The vehicle plunged into a deep gorge near the Alabama Hills in California, claiming their lives instantly.
Families Shattered by the News
The heartbreaking news reached their families in India on Monday afternoon. Bhavana's relative, Sagar Babu, recounted that her elder sister Bharati, who also lives in the US, was first notified by local authorities. Bharati then called her family in Mulkanoor village at around 3 pm with the devastating update.
K Koteshwara Rao, Bhavana's father, had recently been elected deputy sarpanch and had taken his oath just days earlier, on December 22. The family, described as shattered, is struggling to cope. "The mother is inconsolable. These two girls were very close friends, very lively, bright and intelligent. They had big ambitions and dreamed of settling down in the US," Sagar Babu said.
Meghana Rani's father, Pullakhandam Nageshwara Rao, runs a Mee Seva centre in Garla village. His cousin, G Guptha, echoed the sentiment of profound loss, stating that Meghana too had aspired to build a life in America. "These two girls were the stars in their families," he remarked.
A Plea for Support to Bring Them Home
The sudden demise has not only left an emotional void but also a significant financial burden on the families, who belong to modest backgrounds. To manage the exorbitant costs associated with repatriating their remains and conducting the final rites, members of both families have set up GoFundMe campaigns seeking public support.
On the page created for Meghana Rani, her brother Venkatesh Gupta Pullakhandam wrote a poignant appeal. He described her as a kind and vibrant soul who moved to the US with dreams. Highlighting the financial strain, he wrote, "Her sudden passing has left our family devastated emotionally and financially. We are struggling to manage the funeral expenses and final rites... We humbly request your support during this extremely difficult time."
Similarly, Bhavana's family on their fundraising page stated, "As our family navigates this difficult period, we are seeking help to cover funeral and related expenses. Any contribution or sharing this message would be deeply appreciated."
The tragedy underscores the vulnerabilities faced by Indian students abroad and the compounded grief for families thousands of miles away when disaster strikes. The communities in Mahbubabad are mourning the loss of two bright young lives, their dreams cut short on a foreign highway.
