Twenty-seven-year-old Makkena Prasanna, a native of Ummadivaram in Vinukonda mandal of Palnadu district in Andhra Pradesh, was killed in a road accident in New Jersey, USA.

Sources said Prasanna, the eldest of three children of farmers Makkena Venkateswarlu and Govindamma, had moved to the U.S.A. in 2022 to pursue higher education. After completing her Master’s degree, she was reportedly searching for a job while staying in the U.S.

The accident occurred on July 14 when Prasanna was travelling with her three friends. According to reports, the car they were travelling in lost control and crashed into a tree. Prasanna died on the spot, while the other three on board sustained injuries.

Her parents have appealed to the Andhra Pradesh government to facilitate the early repatriation of her mortal remains so that her last rites can be performed at her native village.

The Andhra Pradesh Non-Resident Telugu Society (APNRTS) expressed grief and assured the bereaved family of all possible assistance. The society said that immediately after receiving information from the family, it began coordinating with the authorities concerned in the U.S.A. and community representatives to complete the formalities required for the repatriation of her mortal remains to India.

“We are monitoring the process to ensure that the mortal remains are brought back to Andhra Pradesh at the earliest,” said the APNRTS president Vemuru Ravi Kumar.

Vinukonda MLA G. V. Anjaneyulu is said to have spoken to Prasanna’s father over phone, expressed his condolences and assured the family that efforts would be made with the authorities concerned to expedite the return of her mortal remains from the United States.

Published - July 16, 2026 12:50 am IST