'We are heartbroken': 2 childhood friends from Telangana killed in California accident; kin urge govt to bring back bodies

HYDERABAD/MAHABUBABAD:Two childhood friends from Telangana's Mahabubabad district were killed in a road accident in California's Bishop city on Sunday. Both were living in Ohio and had gone to California on a trip with friends.

Meghana Rani Pullakhandam, 25, and Bhavana Kadiyala, 24, had completed their master's degree in computer science from the University of Dayton and were looking for jobs. On Dec 28, the car they were travelling in suddenly veered off the road at a sharp curve on Alabama Hills Road and fell into a gorge. While Meghana and Bhavana died in the accident, two other students reportedly suffered injuries. Another group of four friends was travelling with them in a separate car which was not involved in the accident.


While Bhavana's family hails from Mulkanoor village, Meghana belonged to Garla village in Mahabubabad. Meghana's father, Nageswara Rao, runs a Mee Seva centre in Garla, while Bhavana's father, Koteshwar Rao, is the upa sarpanch of Mulkanoor.

Having attended school and college together, the two women also went to the US together. Family members of the two said they came to know about the accident on Sunday evening. An inconsolable Koteshwar Rao said he was in too much of a shock to talk about his daughter.

Nageswara Rao told TOI, "Meghana told us over the phone that they were going on holiday for 10 days. The accident took place on the fourth day of their trip. We are heartbroken." He urged the govt to provide assistance to bring the bodies of the two women home.

"It is with a heavy heart and profound sadness that we share the news of the sudden passing of our dear sister, Meghana Rani Pullakhandam. She was tragically taken away from us in an accident on Dec 28, 2025," Venkatesh Gupta Pullakhandam said on a GFundMe page. He said Meghana, fondly called Chikki, came from a lower middle-class family and had moved to the US with many dreams and determination.

Get a chance to win ₹5000 Amazon Voucher by taking part in India's Biggest Habit Index! Take the survey here

Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Happy New Year wishes, messages, and quotes !