A devastating car crash in Green County, Alabama, has claimed the lives of an Indian family of four, leaving them "charred beyond recognition". The tragedy occurred on Saturday night, July 5, 2025, as the family was returning to their home in Dallas, Texas, after a Fourth of July weekend trip to Atlanta, Georgia.
The victims have been identified as Venkat Bejugam, his wife Tejaswini Cholleti, and their two young children, Siddarth and Mrida Bejugam. The family, originally from Hyderabad, India, resided in Sutton Fields, a community in Aubrey, near Dallas.
According to reports, a mini-truck, allegedly speeding and traveling in the wrong lane, collided head-on with the family's car. The impact caused the vehicle to immediately burst into flames, trapping all four occupants inside. Emergency services arriving at the scene could only recover bone fragments from the wreckage, as the fire had completely consumed the vehicle.
Due to the severity of the burns, authorities are relying on forensic examinations, including dental record verification and DNA testing, to confirm the identities of the victims before releasing the remains to their family.
The family had traveled to Atlanta to visit relatives, including Venkat's sister, Deepika. Venkat's parents had also accompanied them but chose to remain in Atlanta for a few more days. The rest of the family was en route back to Dallas when the tragic accident occurred.
The Indian Consulate is working with local law enforcement and U.S. federal officials to facilitate the repatriation of the remains. Non-profit organization TEAM Aid, which assists expats in repatriation of bodies, is coordinating with the victims' relatives and friends to provide logistical support during this difficult time.
This devastating incident is the latest in a series of fatal car crashes involving Indian nationals and Indian-origin families in the United States. In September 2024, four Indian nationals were killed in Anna, Texas, when a speeding truck rear-ended their SUV, causing it to burst into flames. In August 2024, an Indian-origin couple and their daughter died in a fiery car crash in Texas, leaving behind a teenage son. More recently, in May 2025, two Indian students from Cleveland State University died in a crash in East Cocalico Township, New York.
The investigation into the crash is ongoing. Once the forensic examinations are complete and the identities of the victims are confirmed, the bodies will be released to the family for their final rites. The bodies of the deceased will be brought back to Hyderabad for last rites.
