Tragic crash claims lives of two Indian students at Arizona State University

Nivesh Mukka and Goutham Parsi, both from the Indian state of Telangana, were students at Arizona State University

A devastating head-on collision near Lake Pleasant in Arizona on Saturday night claimed the lives of two Indian students studying at Arizona State University. Nivesh Mukka, 19, and Goutham Parsi, 19, both hailing from the southern Indian state of Telangana, tragically lost their lives in the accident.

The victims were enrolled as international students at Arizona State University.

READ: Tragic deaths of Indian-origin students in the US raise alarms over safety (February 15, 2024)

“A devastating head-on collision near Lake Pleasant in Arizona on Saturday night claimed the lives of two Indian students studying at Arizona State University,” reported Fox10 Phoenix on April 22, quoting a university spokesperson. “ASU’s International Students and Scholars Center is working with the Dean of Students, counseling services, and housing representatives to identify their student groups, friends, roommates, etc., so we can offer any needed support.”

The fatal crash occurred at approximately 6:15 p.m. on April 20, involving a Kia Forte and a Ford F-150 near State Route 74 and Castle Hot Springs Road. Preliminary investigations indicate that the collision occurred as the southbound Ford F-150 and the northbound Kia Forte collided head-on. The circumstances leading to the collision are still under investigation by authorities.

READ: At least 10 Indian or Indian American students died in US under mysterious circumstances since Jan. 2023 (March 18, 2024)

The accident spot is 65 miles to the northwest of Arizona State University’s Tempe campus.

The occupants of the Kia Forte bore the brunt of the impact, with the driver sustaining serious injuries and the two passengers, Mukka and Parsi, losing their lives. Inside the Ford F-150, one person sustained serious injuries as well.

According to The Times of India, Parsi and Mukka were pursuing Bachelor of Science degrees in computer science at Arizona State University.

READ: Bodies of two Indian students recovered from Indiana lake (April 24, 2023)

Parsi had commenced his studies at the university in 2022, while Mukka had enrolled the previous year. Goutham, with plans to visit India, had already booked tickets for the journey. His family, from Jangaon district, is deeply involved in the gold trade, with his father, P. Kamal Kumar Gupta, playing a significant role in the industry.

Mukka was from Karimnagar. Both of his parents, Naveen and Swathi, are esteemed doctors, further highlighting the bright futures and academic aspirations of the two young men.

The deaths of Mukka and Parsi add to a string of unfortunate incidents involving Indian or Indian American students across the United States. Since January 2023, more than a dozen such students have lost their lives under mysterious circumstances on US campuses.

These tragic deaths have sparked grave concerns and raised alarm bells within the community. From suspected homicides to tragic accidents, each case sheds light on the vulnerabilities faced by students, both international and domestic, pursuing education on US campuses.