Oct. 24, 2016
For Immediate Release

 

By Joan C. McKinney, coordinating director

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - Two Campbellsville University students were killed and one injured in a one-car accident Saturday night, Oct. 22. All three were taking classes at the Campbellsville University Louisville Education Center.

The students, all of whom were from India, were studying for their master's degrees at the Louisville Center. The accident happened at 10:15 p.m. on North Bend Road near River Road in Hebron, Ky.

Killed were Prasanth Venkat Naga Kommu, 31, and Rajasekhar Reddy Yaramala, 25. Injured was Anvesh Kumar Morampudi, 24, who remains a patient at University Hospital in Cincinnati. All lived in Louisville.

“Our university is saddened by this tragedy,” Dr. Michael V. Carter, president of Campbellsville University, said. “These were dedicated students who were loved by their families, friends and colleagues. Our thoughtful prayers are extended to their families in India and the United States.”

The car, a 2013 Dodge Dart, was driven by Rama Varahabhatla, who was not a Campbellsville University student. The car flipped and struck a tree near an embankment. Varahabhatla, Yaramla and Morampudi were trapped in the wreckage and had to be extricated from the car, police said.

Morampudi was taken to University Hospital in Cincinnati, and Varahabhatla was taken to St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Florence, Ky.

The Boone County Sheriff's Office is investigating the cause of the crash.
Kommu was one of the first group of Indian students to come to study at the Louisville Education Center in January 2016. He was working toward a master of science degree in information technology management. He was the son of Seshaiah Sastry and Lakshmi Kommu.

Yaramala and Morampudi were both in the May cohort. Yaramala was working toward his master of business administration degree. He was the son of Srinivas Reddy and Kavita Yaramala.

Morampudi is studying for his master of science in information technology management.

“Rajasekhar Yaramala and Prasanth Venkat Naga Kommu were motivated CU students, with energetic attitudes and bright futures,” Chris Sanders, director of the Louisville Education Center, said. “Both students brought a positive energy and charisma to the classroom that will be greatly missed.”

Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 4,200 students offering over 80 programs of study including 24 master's degrees, seven postgraduate areas and eight pre-professional programs. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.