Two Telangana students on US dream trip killed in California crash

Two young students from Telangana, who had moved to the United States to pursue higher education and build a future together, were killed in a tragic car accident in California, leaving their families in Mahbubabad district shattered and struggling to bring their daughters home for their final rites.

The victims — Kadiyala Bhavana and P Meghana Rani, both 24 — were close friends and roommates who had travelled to California during the Christmas holidays. Their car plunged into a deep gorge near the Alabama Hills, killing both on the spot, according to family members.

Bhavana, a native of Mulkanoor village, and Meghana Rani, from Garla, had completed their B.Tech degrees in Telangana before moving to the US more than two years ago for their Master’s studies. After recently completing their courses, the two stayed back in the country in search of employment. They were living together in Dayton, Ohio.

News of the accident reached the families on December 29 afternoon. A relative of Bhavana, Sagar Babu, said local authorities first informed Bhavana’s elder sister Bharati, who also resides in the US. “She then called the family here around 3 pm. Everything collapsed after that,” he said.

Bhavana’s father, K Koteshwara Rao, had taken oath as deputy sarpanch in recently held local body elections just days before the tragedy, on December 22. “The family is devastated. The mother is inconsolable,” Sagar said. “These girls were inseparable — lively, intelligent, and full of ambition. They dreamed of settling down in the US.”

Meghana Rani’s father, Pullakhandam Nageshwara Rao, runs a Mee Seva centre in Garla. His cousin, G Guptha, described Meghana as the pride of the family. “Both girls were the stars in their homes. Meghana wanted to build her life in the US. Her death has broken the family,” he said.

Beyond the personal loss, both families are now grappling with the financial burden of repatriating the bodies and conducting funeral rites. Appeals have been made to authorities for assistance, while GoFundMe campaigns have been launched to raise the required funds.

In one appeal, Meghana Rani’s family described her as “a kind, vibrant soul who always put others first,” noting that her sudden death has left them “devastated emotionally and financially.” The family said they were unable to bear the costs of funeral arrangements on their own.

Bhavana’s family echoed the plea, seeking support to cover funeral and related expenses. “Any contribution or sharing this message would be deeply appreciated,” the appeal read.

As two promising lives are mourned thousands of kilometres away from home, their villages in Telangana are united in grief — and in a desperate effort to give them a dignified farewell.