Three Indian American students killed in Georgia car crash

Three 18-year-old Indian American students were killed in a single-vehicle crash in Alpharetta last week, Georgia, while two other 18-year-olds were injured, including the driver of their Honda Accord, according to police.

University of Georgia students Sriya Avasarala and Anvi Sharma and Alpharetta High senior Aryan Joshi, are being remembered for their contributions to two performing groups and a high school cricket team, by their classmates, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Avasarala was a member of the UGA Shikaari dance team, and Sharma sang with UGA Kalakaar, an a capella group, the organizations said in Instagram posts.

“You were such an amazing dancer, friend and just person to be around,” the Shikaari group posted to honor Avasarala. “Your dancing would always be able to put a smile on someone’s face, your sweet, sweet personality can never be matched, and your loving heart will always be remembered.”

The Kalakaar group said Sharma’s death was shocking and devastating, but she leaves a lasting impression on her classmates.

“Anvi’s kindness, enthusiasm and zest for life made her an irreplaceable part of our community,” the singing group posted online.

“She had an uncanny ability to light up any room she entered, leaving a lasting impression on everyone she met. We will cherish the countless moments and memories shared with her. Her beautiful voice and the memories we have with her will forever be in the hearts of our members.”

Investigators believe speed may have been a factor in the deadly crash.

Joshi was set to graduate from high school next week. The Alpharetta High cricket team honored him in an Instagram post, saying he was caring and kind.

“He was one of our biggest supporters and his support was one of the most crucial factor in all our wins,” the team posted. “You will be missed, Aryan. Our condolences go out to Aryan Joshi’s family and the other victims of the crash, Sriya Avasarala and Anvi Sharma.”

The funeral for Joshi was held Friday afternoon in Cumming.

Giving an account of the crash,  Alpharetta Police stated, “At approximately 7.55 pm on Tuesday, May 14, officers responded to a single vehicle crash on Westside Parkway, just north of Maxwell Road.”

The Traffic Enforcement Unit responded to the scene and conducted an initial investigation which revealed that there were five 18-year-old occupants in the vehicle at the time of the crash, it stated.

Two of the occupants — Aryan Joshi and Sriya Avasarala — were found deceased at the scene while three others were transported to North Fulton Hospital for treatment. Avi Sharma, one of the other passengers in the rear of the vehicle also succumbed to injuries later.

While an investigation has already been launched, excessive speeding may have been the primary reason for the accident, according to police. The investigation remains ongoing, however, from the initial data gathered it is believed that speed may have been a factor in the crash.

The two remaining passengers who were injured in the crash were identified by police as Rithwak Somepalli, a Georgia State University Student and driver of the vehicle, and Mohammed Lyakath, a senior at Alpharetta High School.