TANA deeply regrets to inform you that a fatal accident on Highway 42, MO claimed the lives of four Telugu students and critically injured the fifth student who was driving at the time of accident.
According to police and newspaper reports, four Rolla residents were killed on the spot of the accident. Sri Chittury (Visakhapatnam) 22, Dheeraj Gudlawar, 23 ( Hyderabad), Srikanth Ravi ( Hyderabad), 21, and Srupun Velumula, 24 ( Karimnagar), all died. They were passengers in a vehicle driven by Murali Bottu, 22, of Rolla, who was seriously injured and life-flighted to University Hospital.
The Highway Patrol said Bottu was traveling westbound on Hwy 42 at Hawkins Cemetery Road around 10:45 a.m. Sunday when he lost control of the vehicle. He crossed the center line and overcorrected, causing the vehicle to become sideways in the roadway. That's when a 2000 Chevrolet Silverado, driven by Darren J. Denter, 38, of Glencove, collided with the Bottu's 1997 Toyota Camry on the passenger side.
TANA TeamSquare upon being notified by the family members of the victims, reacted immediately to provide emergency assistance and logistical support. TANA President Jayaram Komati, Secretary Mohan Nannapaneni and members Raja Surapaneni, Srinivas Dondapati, Srinivas Korapati and Sandeep Alluri immediately responded to the situation.
Many of the TANA members and volunteers went to the location and hospital to provide help and guidance. The president of the St Loius Telugu Association Rajanikanth Gangavarapu, STA members Chandra Gummi and Ram Mohan Paduru also travelled to Camdenton and Columbia, MO to assist the family member and friends of the victims.
TANA Secretary Mohan Nannapaneni, has been coordinating with the university, Funeral Homes, volunteers, family members and making arrangement to send the deceased to India. The expenses for medical services and transferring the bodies to India are being covered via student’s Insurance and with assistance from their University.
TANA prays for the speedy recovery of Murali Bottu and expresses it heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the victims.
ATA expresses deep condolences and providing assistance
ATA came to know that four students of Indian origin died and another student (Murali Bittu) is in critical condition in a tragic multi car crash in Missouri, USA. ATA expressed deep condolences to the family members of Srupen Reddy, Sriharsh Chitturi, Dheeraj Gudlawar, and Srikanth Ravi Iyer who were killed in the tragic accident.
ATA president, Rajender Jinna contacted the family members of Srupen Reddy and guided them on how to approach the authorities and provided them with proper contact information. ATA is providing assistance regarding Airlines/Indian Embassy/funeral home details and also helping in sending the bodies to India.
Student bodies are in Hedges Scott funeral home, Osage Beach, MD 65065 and the contact phone number for Jefferson City Trooper Police is (573) 751 -1000
If any one needs any further assistance please contact ATA at ATAWORLD.ORG
