A 22-year-old Texas student was killed in a single-vehicle crash on the Pennsylvania Turnpike near the New Stanton interchange on April 8, after state police say the driver fell asleep at the wheel. The car left the roadway, struck an embankment, and rolled, turning a morning drive into a fatal wreck.
According to a release obtained by WTAE, investigators identified the driver as 27-year-old Sai Krishna Sandu of Michigan and said the crash happened in the eastbound lanes at about 7:30 a.m. on April 8. The front-seat passenger, 22-year-old Navya Nelakuditi of Texas, was flown to UPMC Presbyterian, where she was later pronounced dead. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner ruled her death an accident.
Crash Site And Emergency Response
Eastbound lanes were shut down near mile marker 75.4 while emergency crews worked the scene, and one person was flown from the wreckage, according to early coverage of the incident. The closures triggered detours along the busy I-76 corridor near the New Stanton interchange during the morning response, as reported by WPXI.
Family, Fundraising And Background
Relatives launched a GoFundMe to help cover medical bills and the cost of repatriating Nelakuditi’s remains, according to a page organized by an aunt in Frisco, Texas. The fundraiser has collected tens of thousands of dollars toward a $150,000 goal and lists hospital and repatriation expenses, per the GoFundMe page. Indian news outlets also amplified the family’s appeal and reported that Navya had recently traveled to Michigan for an internship interview before the fatal trip home, according to Siasat.
Authorities’ Next Steps And Safety Context
State police have not announced any criminal charges and say their investigation into the crash remains open, according to the release cited by WTAE. Drowsy driving is a well-documented hazard on American highways. Federal safety officials report there were 633 drowsy-driving-related deaths in 2023 and urge motorists to avoid long trips when fatigued, per the NHTSA.
