Gloom In Cheruvugattu After Navya's Death In US Road Accident

Police said Navya was travelling with six others in a minivan that was moving in the right lane at about 10 to 15 mph, behind another vehicle that was facing mechanical issues. An SUV approaching from behind tried to swerve left but struck the minivan, pushing it into a roadside ditch.

Four occupants of the minivan were shifted to nearby hospitals and later moved to facilities in the Chicago area for treatment. Navya died while being transported to hospital.

Investigators said the minivan had only two seats, while five passengers, including Navya, were seated on boxes without seat belts, resulting in severe injuries.

Navya had completed her MS at DePaul University in 2025 and was working part-time while searching for a permanent job in the United States. A relative, Gadusu Shashidhar Reddy, said, “She was returning from a friend’s graduation event, when the accident occurred. We are all in deep shock.” Navya’s father is a farmer, and had borrowed ₹50 lakh to send her abroad for higher education.

Navya is the daughter of Srinivas Reddy, a tenant farmer and Shoba. She had completed her schooling and intermediate education in Nalgonda and pursued BTech from a private engineering college. She had gone to the US about two years ago to pursue an MS. Her younger sister is pursuing BTech in Hyderabad.

The Indian Consulate in Chicago expressed condolences and said it was in touch with the family of the deceased. “We are also in touch with friends and members of the community who are assisting those injured in the accident,” the consulate said.

Roads and buildings minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy said efforts were being made in coordination with Indian organisations TANA and ATA in the US to bring the body back to her native village.

Meanwhile, a pall of gloom descended on Cheruvugattu village in Narketpally mandal on hearing Navya’s death.