Greene County, TX — A quiet highway in Greene County became the site of unimaginable tragedy Sunday evening when a Dallas family of four—parents and their two young children—were killed in a head-on collision with a wrong-way truck. The crash resulted in a fire so intense that no one inside the family’s SUV survived.
Authorities have identified the victims as Venkat “Sri” Bejugam, his wife Tejaswini Cholleti, and their two children, Siddarth and Mrida. The family had reportedly been visiting relatives and were driving home when their vehicle was struck by a truck traveling the wrong way on a divided highway just outside of Dallas.
The impact was catastrophic.
Eyewitnesses said there was no time to react. The SUV burst into flames moments after the collision. Emergency responders arrived quickly, but by then, the vehicle was fully engulfed. No survivors could be pulled from the wreckage.
“A Gentle, Loving Family”
The loss has sent shockwaves through the Dallas community, where the Bejugam-Cholleti family lived and were well-known for their warmth, kindness, and strong community ties.
“This is beyond heartbreaking,” said a neighbor through tears. “They were just such good people. Always smiling, always generous.”
Venkat, known affectionately as Sri, was respected in his professional field, and Tejaswini was deeply involved in local cultural and educational activities. Their children were described as bright, joyful, and full of promise.
Video Circulating Online
A video showing a burning vehicle—matching the make and model of the family’s SUV, and filmed at the crash site—has circulated widely on social media. Though not officially confirmed to be from this incident, many believe it captures the horrifying aftermath of the crash. The footage shows massive flames and thick black smoke pouring from the vehicle.
Authorities have not released footage or additional images but did confirm that the crash was caused by a truck traveling in the wrong direction. Details about the truck driver—including identity, condition, or possible charges—have not yet been disclosed. The investigation remains active.
A Community Grieves
In Dallas, Indian-American organizations and local community leaders have begun rallying around the extended family, offering support and assistance with arrangements. There are ongoing efforts to coordinate a memorial vigil in the coming days.
“This is not just a loss to one family—it’s a loss that is felt by all of us,” said a spokesperson for a local cultural association. “Two beautiful children. A loving couple. Taken from us in seconds.”
A Troubling Pattern
This devastating incident marks yet another wrong-way driving tragedy on Texas highways. Road safety advocates are renewing calls for stronger preventative measures: better signage, wrong-way detection systems, and stricter enforcement of impaired or reckless driving.
“It only takes one wrong turn to destroy an entire family,” said a traffic safety expert. “We cannot accept this as normal.”
Just a Drive Home
For Venkat, Tejaswini, Siddarth, and Mrida, it was supposed to be a routine drive home. Instead, it ended in devastation—leaving a community in mourning, a family shattered, and an entire state once again asking: how do we make our roads safer?
As investigators work through the wreckage and loved ones prepare to say goodbye, one thing is heartbreakingly clear: four lives are gone, and they will never be forgotten
