Christmas Zoo Outing Turns Tragic for Andhra Pradesh MLA’s Family in the US”
In a devastating Christmas Zoo incident in Johnson County, Texas, six members of a Non-Resident Indian (NRI) family from Amalapuram, Andhra Pradesh, lost their lives in a traffic accident on December 26. The family, related to a legislator from the ruling YSR Congress Party in Andhra Pradesh, had come together for a Christmas gathering, which turned into a heart-wrenching tragedy.
The victims, who had been joyfully visiting a relative and had also spent the morning at a local zoo, met with the accident while returning home in their minivan. Tragically, a pickup truck, carrying two young individuals and reportedly driving in the wrong direction, collided with their vehicle.
Christmas Zoo
The sole survivor, Lokesh, is currently in critical condition and receiving medical treatment. The two occupants of the pickup truck are also hospitalized. The injured parties were swiftly airlifted to medical facilities, as reported by US media.
MLA Ponnada Venkata Satish Kumar, representing Mummidivaram in Andhra Pradesh, shared details about the incident. He stated, “My uncle spent Christmas visiting a relative’s home. On December 26, they went to the zoo in the morning and left at 4 pm (local time). Their car was struck by a truck carrying two young people who were traveling the wrong way.” He further mentioned that the local police had determined the truck to be at fault.
The deceased have been identified as P Nageswara Rao (the MLA’s uncle), Seetha Mahalakshmi, Naveena, Kruthik, and a young girl named Nishitha. The identity of the sixth victim, another family member, has not yet been disclosed.
The tragic incident has cast a pall of sorrow over what was meant to be a festive time, and efforts are underway to repatriate the bodies. MLA Ponnada Venkata Satish Kumar is coordinating with authorities to ensure the return of the deceased family members, and considerations are being made for Lokesh, who holds American citizenship, to provide necessary approvals.
