Nilam Tanaji Shinde, a fourth-year student from Maharashtra, India, is in a coma in a California hospital after a hit-and-run accident on February 14. Her family is urgently seeking an American visa to give permission for necessary surgery, as the hospital requires consent from a blood relative. Shinde sustained severe injuries to her arms, legs, head, and chest and is currently under intensive care. Her family learned of the accident two days later from her roommate. The driver responsible has been arrested, but legal proceedings are complicated without a relative present. Shinde’s condition has slightly improved, but she’s still unconscious.
California, US:
Nilam Tanaji Shinde, a young woman from the Satara district of Maharashtra, is currently fighting for her life in a hospital in California, United States, after sustaining severe injuries in a road accident. Ms. Shinde remains in a coma, and her family is urgently requesting assistance from the Centre to obtain an American visa, as doctors require consent from her blood relatives to proceed with her operation.
According to her father, Tanaji Shinde, Ms. Shinde traveled to America for higher education and is a fourth-year student at California State University.
Events Leading To Accident
As per Ms. Shinde’s family, she was involved in an accident on February 14 while out for an evening stroll. It was a hit-and-run incident; a vehicle struck her from behind, causing severe injuries to her arms, legs, head, and chest, as reported by her family.
Following the accident, the 35-year-old was taken to C Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, California, where she is currently receiving treatment in the intensive care unit.
“She has slipped into a coma due to a chest impact,” the family stated, revealing they learned about the accident two days later from Ms. Shinde’s roommate.
In light of her condition, the hospital has reportedly contacted the family via email, urging them to travel to the U.S. as soon as possible.
The hospital requires authorization to perform surgery on her; her family mentioned that Ms. Shinde is near death, and the hospital administration cannot take any risks without a blood relative present.
“We found out about the accident on February 16 and have been trying to secure a visa since then. Unfortunately, we have not received it yet,” her father, Tanaji Madhav Shinde, said.
Ms. Shinde lost her mother to a brain tumor a year ago.
In a conversation with NDTV, her uncle, Sanjay Kadam, shared that there has been some improvement in Ms. Shinde’s condition as of Thursday.
“The brain pressure has decreased since yesterday and has returned to normal. Her blood pressure has also risen to a normal level; however, she remains in a coma,” he reported.
Police Action So Far
Reports indicate that the driver responsible for the accident that injured Ms. Shinde has been taken into police custody.
Nevertheless, law enforcement officials are facing legal challenges in formalizing a case without the presence of a blood relative of the victim.