Indian techies' car crash: US police shocked

New Delhi: US police officials have lamented the death of the Indian techie students in an accident involving an off-duty drunk officer.

Sunset Hills Police Chief, William LaGrand expressed shock when he learned that alcohol may have been a factor in the accident.

“We do expect our people to observe the law, follow the law and enforce the law. Sometimes, that does not happen in private life and when that happens, it is very, very disheartening,” said LaGrand.

The crash took place near St Louis.

The officer, Christine L Miller, a 41-year-old woman, is a 12-year veteran of the Sunset Hills police department. She is still in critical condition, police said.

Coming in at high speed and in the wrong direction, Miller reportedly rammed her car into the Honda Accord, instantly killing the three girls and a boy, while grievously injuring the driver, also a fellow Indian student.

The victims have been identified as Anusha Anumolu, Satya S Chinta, Anita Lakshmi,and Priya Muppvarapu.

Their friend 27-year-old Nitesh Adusumilli, who was driving the car, escaped death as of now but continues to battle serious injuries.

Missouri Highway Patrol investigators believe alcohol was involved, but toxicology results for Officer Miller and investigation reports from the crash are as yet awaited.

“We do suspect it but I am not going to get into the reasons why other than what's obvious, what took place this morning,” said Sargeant Al Nothum.

All the five students hail from Andhra Pradesh and were in their 20's.They were studying for their post-graduation degree in information technology from Eastern Illionois University.

According to an acquaintance of the victims the five had gone for dinner at an Indian Restaurant and were returning home to Northern Illinois when the accident took place. The bodies of the dead will be sent to India.

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