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Indian student dies, several injured in devastating road accident in US

A 25-year-old Indian student lost her life, and several others were injured in a road accident near Chicago after a minivan carrying a group of passengers crashed on Interstate 65.

By Agniv Chowdhury

May 18, 2026 14:41 IST

A tragic road accident on Interstate 65 near Chicago has claimed the life of a 25-year-old Indian student and left at least six others injured.

The incident took place on Saturday night near Crown Point, Indiana, when a minivan carrying seven adults collided with another vehicle, leading to a severe crash.

The accident took place on Interstate 65

According to officials quoted by News18, the crash occurred around 11:15 pm on the northbound lanes of Interstate 65, about a mile south of the Crown Point exit. The minivan was carrying multiple passengers when it was struck by a Chevrolet Suburban. The impact pushed the vehicle off the road and into a ditch, resulting in serious injuries to several occupants.

Authorities said emergency teams rushed to the scene immediately after the accident and transported the injured to nearby hospitals for treatment. Traffic on the highway was disrupted for nearly two hours while rescue and investigation work was carried out.

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Victim identified as a 25-year-old student

The deceased student has been identified as a 25-year-old Indian national originally from Telangana. She was among the passengers in the minivan that was involved in the collision. Several others sustained injuries, with some reported to be in critical condition, while others suffered minor injuries.

Community sources stated that the group was made up of students who had recently completed or were close to completing their studies in the United States and were travelling together at the time of the incident.

Investigation into crash circumstances

Per News18, preliminary findings from the Indiana State Police suggest that the minivan was moving slowly in the right lane, reportedly due to a vehicle ahead experiencing mechanical issues. The Suburban driver allegedly failed to notice the slow-moving vehicle in time, leading to the collision despite an attempt to swerve.

Officials confirmed that there were no signs of impairment or adverse weather conditions contributing to the crash. Investigators are continuing to examine possible traffic violations and other factors that may have led to the accident.

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Safety concerns raised after collision

During the investigation, authorities also noted unsafe seating arrangements inside the minivan. Reports cited by News18 indicate that several passengers were not properly seated with seat belts, which increased the severity of injuries sustained in the crash.

Emergency responders had to close the highway temporarily while clearing the wreckage and documenting the scene. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to determine the exact sequence of events that led to the fatal accident.

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