Two Indian students from Cleveland, Ohio, lost their lives in a fatal car crash on the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Lancaster County on the morning of Saturday, May 10.
The Lancaster County Coroner’s Office identified the victims as Saurav Prabhakar (23) and Manav Patel (20). Both were pronounced dead at the scene, with the cause of death listed as multiple traumatic injuries. The incident has been ruled accidental.
The crash occurred around 7:08 a.m. near milepost 286.5 in Brecknock Township, close to the Reading Interchange, according to Pennsylvania State Police (PSP). Authorities said the vehicle veered off the roadway, hit a tree, and then struck a bridge.
Emergency responders found both the driver and rear-seat passenger deceased at the scene. A front-seat passenger survived the crash and was transported to Reading Hospital with serious injuries.
Police noted that the accident did not impact traffic, as the vehicle had left the main roadway. The PSP’s Forensic Services Unit was deployed to assist with the investigation.
The Indian Consulate in New York expressed deep condolences and confirmed that the victims were students at Cleveland State University. “Deeply saddened to learn about the unfortunate road accident in which two Indian students lost their lives. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families during this difficult time,” the consulate said in an official statement.
An investigation into the exact cause of the crash is ongoing.
