Family of Indian origin on way to their daughter's college dies in car accident in the USA

Three members of a family of Indian descent were killed in a car accident in the US state of Texas. Their 14-year-old son was the only survivor.

Arvind Mani, 45, his wife Pradeepa Arvind, 40, and their 17-year-old daughter Andril Arvind, all residents of Leander, were killed near Lampass County around 5:45 a.m. Wednesday, local media reported.

Their 14-year-old son, Adiryan, who was not in the car with them, was the only surviving family member. A GoFundMe page set up to help the grieving boy financially has raised over $700,000.

“Arvind, 45, and Pradeepa, 42, were a wonderful couple blessed with two children, Andril, 17, and Adiryan, 14,” said the GoFundMe page titled “Supporting Adiryan Arvind: A Tragic Loss and a Young Life to Rebuild.”

Arvind and his wife were driving their daughter to college in North Texas. The 17-year-old girl had just graduated from high school and was planning to go to the University of Dallas to study computer science.

According to authorities, a total of five people were killed in the accident, including the driver of the car that crashed into the vehicle of the Indian family, which then caught fire.

“No chance of survival”

“There was no chance of survival. Given the extent of the damage and the number of fatalities, this was one of the worst accidents I have witnessed in 26 years,” police told local media.

Police suspect the car that hit the family may have been traveling at 160 km/h, as a witness said the vehicle sped past her.

Although the family's car was traveling at about 112 km/h, it was “as if it was driving into a concrete wall at 270 km/h,” police said.

“The Rouse High School family is deeply saddened by the loss of one of our own Raiders from the class of 2024, Andril Arvind,” said a letter from the school’s principal to parents.