A woman from India who was visiting family in Carmel died Sept. 15 as the result of a vehicle accident in northeast Zionsville.
Lavanya Bandaram, 42, of Carmel was driving a Honda CRV with her mother, Padmavathy Bandaram, 62, in the passenger seat and son, Miland Chegu, 11, in the back seat when the vehicle crossed into the path of a Mack dump truck. Police said the driver of the dump truck, David M. Johnson, 43, Indianapolis, was unable to stop and hit the Honda on the passenger side. The car bounced off the front of the truck and struck a utility pole at the intersection, according to the Boone County Sherriff’s Office.
Padmavathy Bandaram was pronounced dead at the scene. Her daughter was taken to St. Vincent, where she is in good condition after two surgeries. Chegu was airlifted to Riley Hospital for Children. He is expected to have a six-week recovery after having surgery on his left arm. Johnson was not injured.
Toxicology and alcohol screening results are pending for both drivers, according to BCSO.
