Indian student Makkena Prasanna, 27, died in a New Jersey crash while traveling with friends. The Andhra Pradesh native had completed a master’s degree in the United States, and her family is seeking government help to return her remains to India
Indian student Makkena Prasanna, 27, died in a car crash in New Jersey on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, according to reports from India. Three friends traveling with her were reportedly injured and received medical treatment.
Reports said the vehicle carrying the group went out of control and struck a tree as they returned from an event. However, the precise location, time and circumstances of the collision have not been publicly confirmed by a New Jersey law enforcement agency.
Andhra Pradesh Student Had Completed Master’s Degree
Prasanna was from Ummadivaram village in Vinukonda mandal, part of Palnadu district in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.
She moved to the United States in 2022 for higher education and had completed a master’s degree. She was reportedly searching for employment at the time of her death.
The identities of the injured passengers and the extent of their injuries had not been made public as of Wednesday, July 15, 2026.
Family Seeks Help Returning Her Remains
Prasanna was the eldest daughter of Makkena Venkateswarlu and Govindamma, who have been described in reports as members of a farming family. News of her death prompted mourning in Ummadivaram and surrounding areas.
G.V. Anjaneyulu, the Vinukonda legislator and chief whip in the Andhra Pradesh government, reportedly spoke with Prasanna’s father and assured him that officials would help return her remains to India.
Her family has asked authorities to expedite the repatriation process so that funeral rites can be held in Andhra Pradesh.
New Jersey Crash Details Await Confirmation
No publicly available police statement identifying the investigating agency, roadway or municipality had been located as of Wednesday, July 15, 2026. Authorities had also not publicly confirmed what caused the driver to lose control.
Further information is expected to depend on the release of a police crash report and confirmation of the arrangements for transporting Prasanna’s remains to India.
