A Belle Mead Man Involved in a Hit-and-Run Fatal Accident Is a Pre-Med Student, the Victim Was a Mother of Two

By Barbara A. Preston for The Montgomery News | August 3, 2026

Siddartha Prasad 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.

The victim, Deepa Sripathy, 44, of Bridgewater, was pronounced dead at the scene. She was a married mother of two, according to her obituary.

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."

Scene of the accident: Route 202 at the First Avenue intersection in Raritan.

Photos from Google Maps and The Somerset County Prosecutor's Office.

Somerset attorney Michael B. Roberts, who is representing Surapanani, responded to The Montgomery News questions on August 3 with the following comment:

"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.

"The charges are an aberration from his character. Siddartha has pleaded not guilty and is presumed innocent. His family requests privacy and understanding during this difficult time."

Surapanani, in fact, has served as a YMCA lifeguard in Hillsborough, a volunteer tennis instructor at Nassau Tennis Center, and was an entrepreneur pursuing a health-focused smoking cessation product for the Indian market, according to his LinkedIn page.

As of August 3, Surapanani remained hospitalized. Upon discharge from the hospital, Surapanani will be lodged in Somerset County Jail pending a court hearing in this matter. 

Affidavit: 18-year-old allegedly ran a mile, fleeing the fatal crash scene

According to an affidavit of probable cause filed by the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office, Surapanani ran about a mile away from the crash scene. Authorities said witnesses reported Surapanani was seen crossing Route 28, he was eventually apprehended at the Raritan Valley Country Club.

Surveillance video showed Surapanani's Genesis traveling at a high rate of speed in the wrong direction on Route 202 just before the crash, according to the affidavit.

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Surapanani is charged with second-degree vehicular homicide and knowingly leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death. This carries a potential prison sentence of five to 10 years if convicted.

He is also charged with motor vehicle summonses for reckless driving, careless driving, improper passing, failure to keep right, leaving the scene of an accident involving personal injury, failure to report an accident, obstructing the passage of other vehicles and failure to observe a traffic signal.

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First Assistant Prosecutor Mueller, Chief McKay, and Chief Fisher request anyone with information relating to this investigation to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office at (908) 231-7100 or the Raritan Police Department at (908) 725-6700 or via the STOPit app. The STOPit app allows citizens to provide anonymous reports including videos and photos. STOPit can be downloaded to your smart phone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: SOMERSETNJ. Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477) or SCPO.TIPS. All anonymous STOPit reports, and tips will be kept confidential. 

Note: The charges are merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.