Indian student killed by speeding car in Florida

In a tragic accident, Guntipalli Sowmya, a 25-year-old woman from Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district of Telangana state, died on Sunday when she was hit by a speeding car while crossing a road in Florida.

Sowmya, who recently earned her master’s degree from Florida Atlantic University, was on her way home after shopping when the accident happened. She died at the scene.

She had gone to the US two years ago to pursue her studies. Her parents, Koteshwara Rao and Balamani, were devastated when they received the tragic news of their daughter’s death, Indian media reported. Sowmya’s family has asked the government for help in bringing her body back to Telangana.

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Rao, a former CRPF soldier, said his daughter celebrated her 25th birthday on May 11. “I even sent her clothes,” he was quoted as saying by the Times of India.

A GoFundMe page to support Sowmya’s family during this time of loss. So far, $35,244 has been raised of the $120,000 goal.

Rao, who runs a kirana shop in Telangana, struggled to raise money for Sowmya’s studies and made many sacrifices to give her the opportunity to pursue her dreams, the page said.

“Sowmya recently completed her master’s degree at Florida Atlantic University, full of hope and ambition to support her family financially,” it said. “Tragically, her promising future was cut short when she was hit by a speeding car on May 26, 2024 in Florida, USA.”

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Sowmya’s journey was one of resilience and determination, as she traveled from India to the United States, overcoming many hardships along the way, according to her GoFundMe page.

As an international student, she faced the challenges of adjusting to a new culture, dealing with academic pressures and coping with financial constraints. Despite these obstacles, she was an excellent student, consistently receiving high grades and awards for her dedication and hard work, the site says.

Sowmya had just started her professional career and dreamed of easing the financial burden on her family and paying off her student loans.

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“She aspired to build a successful career that would not only secure her own future but also provide stability and support to her loved ones at home,” it said. “Her untimely death has left a void that is deeply regretted by all who knew her.”

The GoFundMe campaign “aims to honor Sowmya’s unfulfilled hopes by helping her family during this difficult time. Contributions will provide financial support to her family during this crisis and help pay off her outstanding student loans.”

“By coming together, we can keep Sowmya’s dreams alive and give her family the support they need to heal and move on,” the page said.