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Children survive, community rallies support
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As condolences pour in from both India and the US, the focus now remains on the recovery and rehabilitation of the surviving children, whose lives have been irreversibly altered by the tragedy
PRAVASISAMWAD.COM
A tragic road accident in the United States has claimed the lives of an Indian-origin couple from Andhra Pradesh, while leaving their two children seriously injured. The incident occurred early Monday in Maryland when a truck, allegedly driven by an intoxicated motorist travelling in the wrong direction, rammed into the family’s vehicle with devastating force.
The victims have been identified as Kotikalapudi Krishna Kishore (45) and his wife Asha Kanna (40), natives of Palakollu town in West Godavari district. Their children — son Suchai and daughter Shivani — sustained serious injuries and are currently undergoing treatment at a hospital in Maryland. Doctors have reportedly said that both children are now out of danger, offering some relief amid the tragedy.
Krishna Kishore had been working as a software engineer in the US for over a decade and was well known among the Telugu diaspora. The family had visited their hometown barely ten days before the accident to spend time with their parents and relatives. On their return journey to the US, they also celebrated the New Year in Dubai, making the sudden loss even more heartbreaking for friends and family.
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Members of the Telugu Association of North America (TANA), along with local community volunteers, have stepped in to support the injured children and the bereaved families
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Efforts are currently underway to assist with medical care, logistics, and the transportation of the mortal remains of the deceased couple to India. Community leaders said coordination is ongoing with local authorities and the Indian consulate to ensure timely assistance
The incident has once again drawn attention to a disturbing pattern of fatal road accidents involving members of the Telugu community in the US. In December 2025, two students from Telangana pursuing their master’s degrees died after their car lost control on a sharp curve and plunged into a valley during a sightseeing trip to the Alabama Hills. Earlier, in July last year, a family of four from Hyderabad — Venkat, his wife Tejaswini, and their children Siddarth and Mrida — lost their lives in Texas when a mini-truck collided head-on with their SUV.
Community members and safety advocates have renewed calls for stricter enforcement against drunk driving and greater awareness of road safety.
