Indian-origin family of four killed in US during a car crash

A family of four of Indian origin, originally from Hyderabad and residing in Texas, died in a fatal car crash in Green County, Alabama, on Saturday night. The incident occurred as they were returning to Dallas after visiting relatives in Atlanta during the Fourth of July weekend, as reported by The Times of India.

The victims were identified as Venkat Bejugam, his wife Tejaswini Cholleti, and their two children, Siddarth and Mrida Bejugam. According to reports, a mini truck allegedly travelling in the wrong lane at high speed collided head-on with the family's vehicle. The impact caused the car to catch fire, resulting in the deaths of all four family members.

Due to the severity of the burns, authorities in Alabama are carrying out forensic examinations, including dental record verification and DNA testing, to confirm the identities. The bodies will be released to the family after this process is complete.


The Bejugam family lived in Sutton Fields, a residential community in Aubrey, near Dallas.

Non-profit organisation TEAM Aid, which assists expatriates with emergency response and repatriation support, is working closely with the victims' relatives and local authorities to coordinate logistical arrangements. A representative from the organisation said further updates will be shared once the repatriation process is completed.

Local police are investigating the crash. The case has raised concerns over road safety and the need for stricter measures to prevent wrong-lane driving incidents, which have led to multiple fatalities in recent years.

(With inputs from TOI)