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Two California college students were allegedly mowed down by a drunk fraternity brother who was speeding in a Tesla before callously fleeing the scene, leaving the bloodied women sprawled in the street “like run over garbage,” according to a bombshell lawsuit.
Lilianne Burke and Zoey Archibald, both 19-year-old Cal Poly students, were walking with friends to celebrate a birthday when 20-year-old Ishan Pandhare allegedly plowed into them at approximately 60 mph in a 25 mph zone in San Luis Obispo on Jan. 8.
The horrific collision, which unfolded around 9:31 p.m. near Crandall Way and Foothill Boulevard, left both women with devastating injuries requiring surgery and ongoing medical treatment, according to the complaint filed July 10 in San Luis Obispo County Superior Court.
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But instead of stopping to help, Pandhare allegedly sped away, abandoning the helpless victims bleeding in the roadway.
The lawsuit claims the driver never even hit his brakes, sounded a warning or made any noticeable attempt to slow down before or after the violent impact.
The women were “left like run over garbage in the roadway,” the complaint alleges.
Both were rushed by ambulance to a trauma hospital with major but non-life-threatening injuries, according to The Tribune.
Now, the two students are suing not only the alleged driver but also several other students and Cal Poly’s Kappa Sigma fraternity, accusing them of helping fuel the booze-soaked events that allegedly led to the terrifying crash.
The explosive lawsuit claims Pandhare, who was under California’s legal drinking age of 21, had been drinking at multiple gatherings before getting behind the wheel of a gray 2021 Tesla Model 3.
Among those named is 21-year-old Anna Grillo, who allegedly hosted a birthday bash at her private residence where alcohol was provided to Pandhare.
The complaint also alleges another party was organized or hosted by Kappa Sigma fraternity members, including 21-year-old Aidan Jameson Kennedy and 22-year-old Kip Stackle.
Kennedy, who allegedly owned the Tesla, is accused of handing over the keys despite knowing or having reason to know Pandhare was intoxicated and unfit to drive.
The lawsuit further claims fraternity members routinely borrowed and drove one another’s vehicles.
The plaintiffs accuse the fraternity and other defendants of furnishing alcohol to an underage student and fostering dangerous drinking practices, including alleged hazing.
According to the complaint, the fraternity’s alleged encouragement or provision of alcohol during its activities amounted to negligent initiation, hazing and other misconduct.
The women argue that the fraternity and those who allegedly supplied the alcohol helped create the dangerous circumstances that ended with them being struck.
“Two Cal Poly students were run over and left bleeding in the road by an underage driver under the influence who cowardly fled the scene,” Archibald’s attorney, Theo Emison, told The Tribune.
“We will find all persons who are responsible in any way for this tragedy and hold every one of them accountable for this despicable conduct.”
Burke’s attorney, Christopher Dolan, also blasted what he described as a staggering chain of failures leading up to the crash.
“There are so many layers of failure here that had the law been followed by any one of the people who furnished the alcohol, provided the vehicle, encouraged excessive consumption and drove the vehicle, this life-changing collision would not have happened,” Dolan told the outlet.
“The lawsuit should be seen as a wake-up call to the alcohol culture in colleges and universities: if you break the law and cause harm, you will be identified, pursued and held accountable.”
Pandhare was later identified by San Luis Obispo police and arrested.
On Feb. 2, prosecutors charged him with multiple felonies, including DUI causing injury, reckless driving and hit-and-run causing injury, along with sentencing enhancements related to the serious injuries suffered by both victims.
He pleaded not guilty to all counts on Feb. 4. A preliminary hearing was scheduled for Oct. 19.
Burke and Archibald are seeking unspecified damages for their injuries, medical expenses, emotional suffering and other losses, while reserving the right to pursue punitive damages.
The California Post reached out to the national Kappa Sigma organization and Pandhare’s attorney for comment.
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