NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
Ann Arbor, MI, July 21, 2026 — An Indian student from Telangana has been declared brain dead after suffering catastrophic injuries in a road accident near Ann Arbor, Michigan, prompting family, friends, and members of the Indian American community to launch a fundraising campaign to help cover medical expenses and support his family.
Nithyanand Reddy Gannu, affectionately known as Nandhu, 26, was involved in a tragic accident on Saturday near Ann Arbor. Originally from Narsapur (West), Laxmanchanda in Telangana’s Nirmal district, Gannu had completed his Master’s degree in Information Systems at Indiana Tech between January 2023 and December 2024.
According to a GoFundMe campaign organized by his family and friends, Gannu sustained multiple serious injuries in the crash, including a severe fracture that required emergency surgery. While his loved ones hoped the surgery would mark the beginning of his recovery, he developed a rare and life-threatening complication known as cerebral fat embolism, a condition in which fat droplets from a fractured bone enter the bloodstream and travel to the brain, causing multiple blockages.
The complication resulted in severe brain damage, and doctors have since officially declared him brain dead. He remains on life support.
The fundraiser states that Gannu was being treated in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) under the care of trauma specialists, neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons, and critical care physicians.
Describing him as “a kind, hardworking, and caring” young man from a farming family, organizers said the accident has left his family facing immense emotional and financial hardship.
Donations raised through the campaign will help cover medical expenses not paid by insurance, ICU and hospital costs, and other related expenses. Organizers have also appealed to the public to share the fundraiser and keep Gannu’s family in their prayers during what they described as an incredibly difficult time.
The campaign has drawn support from members of the Indian community, who have expressed condolences and solidarity with Gannu’s family as they cope with the devastating loss.
