The community is mourning the heartbreaking loss of 25-year-old Navya Gadusu, a Chicago resident originally from Cheruvugattu village in Nalgonda district, who died following a tragic two-vehicle crash Saturday night on northbound Interstate 65 in Crown Point.
According to Indiana State Police, the crash occurred at approximately 11:15 p.m., about one mile south of the Crown Point exit. Investigators said a red 2016 Dodge minivan carrying seven occupants was traveling slowly in the right lane at approximately 10 to 15 mph while following another vehicle experiencing mechanical issues.
Authorities said a 2015 Chevrolet Suburban approaching from behind did not realize how slowly the minivan was traveling. The driver attempted to avoid a collision by swerving left, but the SUV still struck the rear left side of the minivan. The impact forced the minivan off the roadway and into a ditch.
The minivan carried seven occupants at the time of the crash. Officials said two front-seat passengers were not injured and remained inside the vehicle, while five passengers seated in the rear were not wearing seatbelts and suffered serious injuries.
Emergency responders transported the injured occupants to nearby hospitals for treatment. Navya Gadusu, who was among those critically injured, later died at the hospital due to the severity of her injuries.
Officials confirmed the vehicle the minivan had been following was not involved in the crash.
Northbound I-65 was closed for approximately two hours as investigators documented the scene, cleared debris, and reconstructed the events leading up to the collision.
Indiana State Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Her passing has left family, friends, and loved ones devastated, as they remember her as a bright and ambitious young woman whose life ended far too soon in a tragic moment on the highway.
