(CALIFORNIA) — Two women from India’s Telangana state died in a car crash on Alabama Hills Road in California on Sunday, and their families are seeking government assistance to repatriate their bodies as U.S. police investigate the accident.
Crash details and immediate aftermath
The collision occurred around 4 p.m. local time on December 28, 2025, when the vehicle they were in failed to navigate a curve, veered off the road and plunged into a gorge or valley.
- The two women, Pulakhandam Meghana Rani (age 24–25) and Kadiyala Bhavana (age 24), died on the spot.
- Others traveling with them sustained serious injuries; no detailed breakdown of the number or exact nature of injuries has been provided.
- The trip was described by friends as a sightseeing outing. Eight friends were traveling in two cars, with Meghana Rani and Bhavana riding together in the vehicle that left the roadway.
Identities and personal background
- Pulakhandam Meghana Rani — also spelled Pullakhandu Meghana or Meghana Rani, nicknamed Chikki. Her father, Nageshwara Rao, runs a Mee-Seva centre in Garla mandal.
- Kadiyala Bhavana — also identified as Bhavana Chowdary Kadiyala. Her father is the deputy sarpanch of Mulkanoor village.
Both women:
– Were from Mahabubabad district (Garla mandal and Mulkanoor village).
– Had recently completed Master’s degrees.
– Moved to the United States three years ago for higher education and were actively looking for jobs.
– Were described as close friends and roommates.
Family appeals and repatriation efforts
Family members in Telangana have appealed for swift measures to return the bodies to India and are waiting for the outcome of the ongoing U.S. police investigation.
Because repatriation can be costly, relatives and supporters have launched online fundraisers:
- Fundraiser for Meghana Rani:
– Title: “Bringing Meghana Rani Home for Her Final Journey to India.”
– Described as an appeal for a dignified farewell for an unmarried Indian national from a lower-middle-class family in Garla, Telangana.
- Fundraiser for Bhavana:
– Title: “Help Us Bring Bhavana Chowdary Kadiyala Back Home to Rest.”
Friends and relatives in Mahabubabad district have been widely sharing these appeals and details of the crash location to mobilize support.
Important: Families say their immediate priority is the transport of the bodies back to Telangana so funeral rites can be performed locally, but they remain dependent on documentation and clearance pending the U.S. investigation.
Broader context and recent similar cases
The incident has drawn attention amid a string of recent deaths of Indian students and young professionals in the United States, where families often depend on community fundraising and face complex logistical challenges from afar.
Recent related cases mentioned by families and local networks:
– RajyaLakshmi (Raji) Yarlagadda, 23, from Andhra Pradesh — found dead in Texas on November 7, 2025; possible illness cited and a separate repatriation fundraiser launched.
– Yashwanth Kumar Goshika, 33, from Telangana — died in Dallas this week from sleep apnea-related issues; a separate repatriation fundraiser is ongoing.
Investigation status and practical challenges
- U.S. police are investigating how the vehicle went off Alabama Hills Road into the gorge or valley.
- The investigation can take time, leaving families waiting for official documentation needed for repatriation.
- Families must navigate logistical, legal and financial hurdles across international borders while seeking timely government and community assistance.
Local impact and reactions
- The deaths have reverberated across Mahabubabad district, a region that has seen many young people pursue overseas education in recent years.
- Friends, relatives, and local networks have renewed calls for quicker assistance in bringing home Indians who die abroad — a concern that intensifies when multiple cases occur in close succession.
- The two women were remembered as recent graduates actively job hunting after completing their studies, making the loss particularly sudden and devastating for their families and communities.
Summary of key facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Date & time | December 28, 2025, ~4 p.m. local time |
| Location | Alabama Hills Road, California |
| Victims | Pulakhandam Meghana Rani (24–25); Kadiyala Bhavana (24) |
| Origin | Garla mandal and Mulkanoor village, Mahabubabad district, Telangana |
| Education | Recent Master’s degree graduates; in U.S. for ~3 years |
| Travel party | 8 friends in two cars; victims were in the car that left the road |
| Current priorities | Ongoing police investigation; repatriation of bodies; online fundraising |
The immediate focus for both families remains on bringing the bodies home and arranging for funeral rites in Telangana while awaiting the results of the U.S. investigation and necessary documentation for repatriation.
Two Indian graduate students from Telangana died in a California car accident when their vehicle fell into a valley. The families of Meghana Rani and Kadiyala Bhavana are struggling with the logistical and financial burdens of returning their bodies to India for final rites. As U.S. authorities investigate the crash, local communities have turned to crowdfunding to support the grieving families during this transnational crisis.
