Indian students from Cleveland State University die in US road crash

Key Takeaways

• Two Indian Cleveland State students died in a May 10, 2025, Pennsylvania car crash; third occupant survived, injured.
• Indian Consulate in New York promised full assistance, including repatriation and legal aid, to victims’ families after tragedy.
• Incident highlights risks faced by Indian students in the US and importance of support systems, road safety, and university care.

Two Indian students studying at Cleveland State University died in a serious car accident in the United States 🇺🇸 on May 10, 2025. This event has sent a strong wave of sorrow through the Indian student community in the United States 🇺🇸 and in India 🇮🇳. The tragedy has again brought attention to the many challenges and risks that Indian students can face when they travel far from home for their education. The incident also highlights the care and support provided by the Indian Consulate in difficult times.

What Happened on May 10, 2025?

Early on the morning of Saturday, May 10, 2025, a car carrying three people crashed in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Two of the occupants, Manav Patel, aged 20, and Saurav Prabhakar, aged 23, were Indian students at Cleveland State University. According to local police reports and news articles, Saurav Prabhakar was driving the car, while Manav Patel sat in the passenger seat. Their vehicle left the road close to the Reading Interchange on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The car skidded, hit a tree, and then struck a bridge.

Both Manav and Saurav suffered multiple traumatic injuries, and the authorities said they died at the scene of the accident. A third person in the front seat survived but was injured and taken to Reading Hospital for medical care. The condition of this third person has not been made public so far.

The police said the deaths of Manav and Saurav were accidental, and there was no mention of foul play or other causes.

Indian Consulate’s Response

The Consulate General of India in New York soon learned about the loss and expressed their deep sadness and sympathy. They posted an official statement on their X (the platform formerly known as Twitter) account, where they shared the following:

“Deeply saddened to learn about the unfortunate road accident in which two Indian students from Cleveland State University, Manav Patel and Saurav Prabhakar, lost their lives… Our thoughts and prayers are with their families during this difficult time. The consulate is in touch with the families and has assured them of all possible assistance.”

Their statement reflected both grief and a promise to help the families. The Consulate later confirmed it would arrange all needed support for the families, including help returning the students’ bodies to India 🇮🇳 (a process known as repatriation), and that it was working closely with local authorities on further steps.

The Human Cost: Grief in Two Countries

The deaths of Manav Patel and Saurav Prabhakar can be felt not only by their families and loved ones in India 🇮🇳, but also by their classmates, friends, and teachers at Cleveland State University and beyond. The Indian student community, which has grown much larger in recent years in the United States 🇺🇸, often faces special challenges—including loneliness, homesickness, and the risks involved in living in a new country. Such sudden and tragic events hit these communities very hard.

For parents in India 🇮🇳, the idea of sending their children thousands of miles away is a huge decision. While studying in the United States 🇺🇸 is a dream for many, the journey is not without its difficulties. When young lives are lost in this way, the pain and anxiety among other families looking to send their children abroad only grows stronger. Friends and fellow students at Cleveland State University also now mourn two people who were a part of their lives on campus.

Key Facts at a Glance

Here’s a summary table to capture the most important details:

The third passenger’s name and further information has not been officially shared as of this writing.

Why Indian Students Study in the United States 🇺🇸

Many Indian students choose to study at American universities and colleges every year. The United States 🇺🇸 remains a popular destination because of its quality education, variety of academic programs, and wide range of research opportunities. Cleveland State University is one of many schools that welcomes Indian students to its campus.

According to the Institute of International Education’s Open Doors Report, Indian students make up one of the largest groups of international students in the United States 🇺🇸—second only to students from China 🇨🇳. For the 2023-2024 academic year, more than 260,000 students from India 🇮🇳 were enrolled at American institutions.

These students travel for not just education, but also to experience new cultures, meet people from all over the world, and build their futures. Unfortunately, incidents like the US road crash in Lancaster County show there are real-world dangers that students can face while so far from home.

Safety Concerns for International Students

While universities and colleges try hard to make campuses safe, students also have to travel for internships, part-time jobs, and social activities. Car accidents are, sadly, among the leading causes of death for young people around the world—including international students in the United States 🇺🇸.

Some of the reasons students face higher risks include:

• Unfamiliarity with local traffic rules and road conditions
• Fatigue from late-night study or jobs
• Weather changes that can make roads slippery or hard to see
• Stress or distraction from academic or personal pressures

The tragic loss of Manav Patel and Saurav Prabhakar underlines the importance of road safety and the need for strong support systems for students—especially those who are far from home.

Role of the Indian Consulate and Support for Families

The Indian Consulate in New York has played an important role in supporting the families and friends of victims in the wake of this tragedy. In their statement, the Consulate promised “all possible assistance,” which usually means:

• Helping with paperwork for travel and legal needs
• Arranging for the repatriation of the bodies to India 🇮🇳
• Providing information and comfort to the families
• Guiding families through local laws and customs in the United States 🇺🇸

This kind of support is especially useful for families who must deal with language barriers, different legal systems, and long distances from where the accident occurred. As reported by VisaVerge.com, consulates and embassies often step in during such emergencies to help Indian citizens abroad, whether the event is due to accident, illness, or other crises.

If you want to learn more about the Indian Consulate’s services, you can visit the Consulate General of India, New York’s official website.

Impact on Cleveland State University

The deaths of two young students have also touched Cleveland State University and its diverse student body. University officials and faculty must now support grieving students, organize memorials, and help the campus heal. They may also review support services, such as counseling, and ways first-year and international students are introduced to safety tips when they first arrive in the country.

The university’s international office, counselors, and other staff are usually the first line of support for students living away from home. They might offer:

• Emergency contact details for students to use at any time
• Counseling services to help with grief, stress, or fear
• Orientation sessions on local rules and safety, including road safety
• Opportunities to meet others going through the same challenges

Such responses show how schools like Cleveland State University work to care for their students, both local and international.

The Larger Picture: Road Safety and Student Wellbeing Abroad

Road safety is a vital concern in the United States 🇺🇸. Every year, the country sees thousands of car accidents involving young drivers and passengers. While anyone can be at risk, international students are sometimes more vulnerable.

Here’s why:

• They might drive on roads very different from those in India 🇮🇳
• Some students may not have much driving experience
• Nighttime driving or driving in harsh weather is common, especially during holidays or weekends

After any such fatal US road crash, many universities and embassy officials remind students to be extra careful when traveling, both at night and during busy holiday periods.

Families in India 🇮🇳 who are thinking of sending their children abroad for study should discuss these safety matters. This includes making sure their children know local traffic laws, only travel when well-rested, and can ask for help if they ever feel unsafe.

How Can Students Prepare for Risks Abroad?

While tragedies like this US road crash will always remain a risk, there are several steps that Indian students and their families can take to make studying abroad safer and more secure. These include:

• Attending safety and orientation sessions offered by the host university or college
• Learning the local traffic rules and always following them
• Wearing seat belts in all vehicles
• Understanding emergency numbers and how to contact help
• Keeping local embassy or consulate numbers saved for emergencies
• Building a network of friends and support on campus who can be called in times of need

Families should encourage students to check in regularly and to share travel plans, so loved ones know how to find them in an emergency.

Repatriation and Legal Support After Tragedy

When overseas tragedy strikes, dealing with the return of a loved one’s remains (a process called repatriation) involves many steps. These usually include:

• Working with local and home country officials to get needed documents
• Deciding on funeral arrangements abroad or in India 🇮🇳
• Transport of remains, which can be expensive and take time
• Handling insurance and legal paperwork

The Indian Consulate, with its experience and local contacts, is able to guide families through every step and often communicates directly with local law enforcement and hospitals. This kind of consular assistance is crucial for families who may not know what to do after such a sudden loss.

Looking Forward: Lessons and Support for Indian Students

Every year, more Indian students dream of studying at excellent institutions like Cleveland State University in the United States 🇺🇸. These dreams come with many benefits, but also with risks and responsibilities.

This US road crash serves as a sad reminder of those risks. It also shows the importance of having support systems—at home, on campus, and through the Indian Consulate or Embassy. Community support, university services, and official help work together to make the journey as safe as possible.

Universities and consulates may take new steps after such incidents to:

• Improve road safety training for international students
• Work with local authorities to make busy travel times safer for students
• Create regular meetings or support groups for international student welfare

Closing Thoughts

The deaths of Manav Patel and Saurav Prabhakar in a US road crash have touched many lives. The careful, respectful response by the Indian Consulate in New York and community support at Cleveland State University offer some comfort, but the pain and sadness for the families and student community remain.

Many Indian students come to the United States 🇺🇸 to build their futures. Families, universities, and officials all play a part in making sure those journeys are as safe as possible. Clear advice, strong support systems, and careful preparation can help reduce risks, even if they cannot remove them completely.

For parents and students, staying informed about safety, keeping in touch with consular officials, and taking advantage of campus resources will always remain very important steps when studying in another country.

Learn Today

Repatriation → The legal and logistical process of returning a deceased person’s remains to their home country for burial or funeral rites.
Consulate → A diplomatic office representing a country in a foreign city, offering assistance and services to its citizens abroad.
International Student → A student who travels to a foreign country to pursue education, often facing unique cultural and legal challenges.
Pennsylvania Turnpike → A major highway in Pennsylvania, USA, where the tragic accident involving the students occurred.
Traumatic Injuries → Serious physical injuries typically caused by sudden, violent events such as car accidents, often life-threatening.

This Article in a Nutshell

On May 10, 2025, two Indian students from Cleveland State University died in a Pennsylvania car crash. Their loss highlights challenges and dangers international students face abroad. The Indian Consulate responded swiftly to assist the families and underscores the importance of campus safety initiatives and consular support for students.
— By VisaVerge.com

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