By Barbara A. Preston for The Montgomery News | August 14, 2026 (updated at 2 pm)
The defense argued an undiagnosed mental health emergency (bipolar disorder) caused a "psychotic episode" that led to the accident, and that it was not a reflection of the student's true character or criminal intent.
The prosecution argued the diagnosis came after the accident, that the student was a flight risk due to wealthy ties in India and Somerset County, and that he could be a danger to society.
A Superior Court judge ruled on Friday morning that an 18-year-old Belle Mead resident must remain in custody while awaiting trial on vehicular homicide charges, rejecting defense arguments that a mental health episode led to the fatal July crash that claimed the life of a local woman.
Superior Court Criminal Presiding Judge Peter J. Tober, who serves Somerset, Hunterdon, and Warren counties, ordered that Siddartha Prasad Surapanani be held in pretrial detention, citing the danger posed to the community and the risk that the defendant might obstruct the criminal justice process.
Surapanani is charged with second-degree vehicular homicide and second-degree leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death. The charges stem from the morning of July 27, 2026, when prosecutors say Surapanani drove erratically for 14 miles along Route 202 before running a red light at First Avenue and striking a vehicle, killing the driver, a Bridgewater resident
In the courtroom, Assistant Somerset County Prosecutor Lorina Murphy presented video evidence, including footage from a truck’s dash cam and area surveillance, which she argued showed Surapanani driving recklessly on the shoulder, crossing medians, and fleeing the scene on foot after the collision. Murphy pointed to a video that appeared to show the defendant waiting for the traffic light to change before exiting his car and putting on a sweatshirt to obscure his identity.
"Actions speak louder than words," Murphy argued, contending the defendant’s behavior immediately following the crash demonstrated an awareness of his actions and a deliberate attempt to evade capture. She further noted that the defendant’s family ties to India and their financial resources raised concerns regarding the risk of flight."
"The defendant has wealthy ties in India as well as Somerset County. At the hospital, the defendant attempted to bribe medical personnel, telling them he could get them fired when they didn't do what he wanted," Murphy argued.
The defense, led by attorney Michael B. Roberts, argued that Surapanani's behaviors after the accident “are consistent with his mania and further support our mental health defense."
The incident was an "aberration" caused by a sudden “psychotic break” brought on by bipolar disorder, a condition they said was undiagnosed at the time of the crash. Roberts presented eight character letters from family, friends, and classmates describing Surapanani as an empathetic and dedicated student, a lifeguard, a student member of the South Orange EMS squad, and aspiring doctor.
Roberts characterized the accident as a tragedy born of a mental health emergency rather than criminal intent. "This is not our grandson. It's just not our loved one," Roberts said, quoting family members. The defense requested that Surapanani be released to his family home on house arrest while awaiting trial — with strict conditions, including a prohibition on driving and requirements to remain in psychiatric treatment.
"We are exploring all defenses at this time," Roberts said.
Judge Tober acknowledged the difficulty of addressing mental health within the criminal justice system, describing it as a "delicate balance between protecting the public and ensuring that people are in the least restrictive environment."
However, the judge ultimately sided with the prosecution, noting that the mental illness appeared to be in its "infancy" and that he could not set conditions that would reasonably guarantee public safety.
"I can't set any condition that would reasonably protect the public without knowing more," Judge Tober said. "If he is released and I set a condition that he doesn't drive, if he continues to suffer from this mental illness, what's to stop him from getting in a car again?"
Surapanani, who has no prior criminal record, is scheduled for a pre-indictment conference on September 11.
The prosecution argued for detention, citing the defendant's actions demonstrate a clear awareness of his conduct and a calculated attempt to evade responsibility. Key evidence and arguments presented by Assistant Prosecutor Murphy included:
Reckless Driving: Prosecutors detailed a 14-mile sequence of dangerous driving beginning in Flemington, including excessive speeding, driving on the shoulder of Route 202, crossing grass medians, and traveling the wrong way down the highway.
The Collision: Video evidence captured the defendant running a red light at the intersection of First Street and Route 202 in Raritan without slowing down, resulting in a T-bone collision with the victim's vehicle. The force of the impact caused the victim's car to strike other vehicles waiting at the intersection.
Evidence of Evasion:
Post-Crash Conduct: Prosecutors highlighted that the defendant waited until the traffic light turned green—presumably to minimize onlookers—before exiting his vehicle.
Concealment: Surveillance footage from a nearby condominium complex showed the defendant putting on a sweatshirt to obscure his identity while fleeing the scene.
Flight from Law Enforcement: After leaving the scene, the defendant was located roughly a mile away on a golf course, where he again attempted to flee from officers.
Argument Against Character Defense: While acknowledging the defense's character letters, the prosecution argued that those documents illustrate who the defendant is “when he has nothing to lose, whereas his actions—such as fleeing the scene and attempting to hide his identity—demonstrate his true character when he is under pressure and has something to lose. In other words, Murphy argued the videos reveal who Surapanani is “when nobody is watching.”
Risk Factors: The prosecution emphasized the defendant's wealthy ties to India as a flight risk concern and argued that his actions show he believes himself to be above the law.
The letters submitted by the defense highlighted several consistent themes regarding Surapanani's character and history:
Positive Character Traits: Contributors—including family, friends, and classmates—consistently described him as compassionate, empathetic, selfless, and dedicated.
Aspirations and Roles: The letters emphasized his background as an engaged student, lifeguard, and aspiring doctor, noting that he had a history of going out of his way to help others.
Argument for "Aberration": The defense used these character assessments to argue that the events of July 27 were a tragic "aberration" caused by a sudden, undiagnosed mental health emergency (bipolar disorder) rather than a reflection of his true character or criminal intent.
Refutation of Criminal Nature: Expressing deep confusion and grief, family members emphasized in their statements, "This is not our grandson. It's just not our loved one," reinforcing the defense’s position that his actions on the day of the crash were entirely uncharacteristic.
Surapanani, 18, of Belle Mead is charged with 2nd degree vehicular homicide after an accident in Raritan, just north of Hillsborough, on Monday, July 27, police said. The prosecutor said on July 30 that an additional charge, "2nd degree, Leaving the Scene of an Accident Resulting in Death," was added.
Surapanani, an 18-Year-old Belle Mead resident charged with vehicular homicide and fleeing the scene on foot, is a biology major in Seton Hall University's joint B.S./M.D. program, according to his LinkedIn page. He has pleaded not guilty.
Surapanani was driving a Genesis SUV erratically on July 27 at 6:29 am, according to police, when he allegedly crossed over the intersection of Route 202 and First Avenue against a red light in Raritan, ultimately striking the driver’s side door of the Acura SUV.
The driver of the Acura, Deepa Sripathy, 44, of Bridgewater, was pronounced dead at the scene. She was a married mother of two, according to her obituary. A native of India, Sripathy is survived by her husband of 21 years and two daughters, ages 20 and 16, the obituary stated.
"In her free time, Deepa loved spending time with their pet, Leo, and she truly enjoyed teaching elementary school children, cooking and gardening," the obituary said. "Deepa has extreme patience, kind by heart and a pleasant person by nature, loved by one and all."
Attorney Roberts, who is representing Surapanani, told The Montgomery News, that "the Surapanani family offers their deepest sympathies and condolences for the tragic loss of life that occurred. Siddartha is an aspiring doctor and did not intend harm," Roberts said. "Siddartha has pleaded not guilty and is presumed innocent. His family requests privacy and understanding during this difficult time."
