US: Texas-Based Telugu Student Deepthi Vangavolu Critically Injured in Hit-and-Run

A Telugu woman is fighting for her life following a hit-and-run incident in Denton, Texas, according to reports received on Monday.

The victim has been identified as Deepthi Vangavolu, while another woman sustained non-life-threatening injuries and is currently receiving medical treatment, according to American media outlets.

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Reports suggest that Deepthi and her friend were walking home when they were struck by an unidentified vehicle. Denton police have appealed for public assistance in locating the driver who failed to stop after hitting the two pedestrians.

In a statement to local news outlet nbcdfw.com, an Indian student said that Deepthi Vangavolu suffered a severe head injury, while her friend, though also seriously hurt, is undergoing surgery and is expected to recover.

According to Deepthi's LinkedIn profile, she is pursuing a master's degree in Computer and Information Science at the University of North Texas.

She completed her BTech from Narasaraopeta Engineering College in March 2023 and is believed to be from Guntur, Andhra Pradesh.

A press release from Denton Police stated that the accident occurred at around 2:12 a.m. on Saturday, 12 April, in the 2300 block of Carril Al Lago Drive - a residential street near North Bonnie Brae Street and West University Drive.

Eyewitnesses reported that a dark-coloured sedan struck the two women and fled the scene. The vehicle was last seen heading north on North Bonnie Brae Street.

Both victims were transported to a local hospital. One woman sustained life-threatening injuries, while the other's injuries were relatively minor.

Police have tentatively identified the vehicle as a dark Kia Optima, which likely has a missing or damaged front grille and a broken headlight.