TANA Condolences to MVVS Murthi and 3 others in Alaska

The Telugu Association of North America (TANA) is deeply shocked and offers its condolences to the bereaved families of the Dr. MVVS Murthi garu (Chairman. GITAM) and Sri Veluvulu Basavapunnaih, Sri Vantipalli Pattabhirammya Choudhary and Sri Siva Veeramachineni – who have expired due to a head-on collision involving two vehicles at Mile 185 on Parks Highway, Alaska on 10/1/2018 (Monday). This group along with Sri Kadiyala Venkarathnam (the lone survivor) were ere on their way to a wildlife sanctuary in Alaska. Alaska State Troopers say the fatal accident happened when a 2017 Dodge Van occupied by the victims was passing a commercial motor vehicle in a no passing zone. According to AST’s preliminary investigation, the Dodge Van collided with a Ford F150 in the oncoming lane, killing the 56-year-old driver of the van and a male passenger. Three other passengers in the van were critically injured and med-evacuated to Anchorage.

According to Officer Wasmman who is handling the case along with other troopers , four people have succumbed to their injuries and their bodies are at the Alaska State Medical Examination Center. At this time – the police were able to conclusively announce Sri Veluvulu Basavapunnaihas deceased and the others are yet to be formally identified due to lack of proper identification information. Sri Kadiyala Venkatarathnam is the lone survivor and has underwent spinal surgeries and is in stable yet critical condition.

Upon hearing the news, TANA President Satish Vemana, Secretary Anjaiah Choudhary Lavu, Treasurer Ravi Potluri, Ex-president Jayaram Komati and national/local team square volunteers supervised the situation and have contacted the local authorities and the families of the victims. TANA is in contact with Detective Jared Fisher at the Atlanta State Medical Examination Center to ascertain that the bodies are released to a funeral home in a timely manner so that the due diligence at the Indian embassy can be completed to enable the bodies to be flown to India.

Sri MVVS Murthi garu and his associated ( the other three deceased) are long time fiends and well-wishers of TANA and have been at several TANA events. In particular Sri Murthi garu – has been a part of several projects undertaken by TANA in India and it is great loss to our organization.

At this time the President Satish Vemana and Treasurer Ravi Potluri are currently in Anchorage, Alaska to oversee the process of repatriation in a timely manner.

Telugu Association of North America.