Andhra Pradesh police on Friday, April 11, confirmed that Christian preacher Pastor Praveen Pagadala died in an accident caused by drunk driving. The well-known pastor passed away on March 25, prompting suspicions among Christian groups that he may have been the victim of a hate crime.
Eluru Range Inspector General GVG Ashok Kumar ruled out any evidence of foul play. “The police verified his UPI transactions, which matched CCTV footage. Ninety-two witnesses were questioned, and we examined over 600 CCTV recordings as part of the investigation,” Ashok Kumar told the media, adding that during his journey from Hyderabad to Rajahmundry on March 24, Praveen was involved in three separate accidents and purchased alcohol three times.
The final accident occurred near Konthamuru, close to Rajahmundry, where his bike skidded off the road, resulting in fatal injuries.
Speaking to the media, IG Ashok Kumar said that Praveen was travelling at a speed of 70 km per hour. “The Forensic Science Lab examined four vehicles that passed the accident site and ruled out any collision, as there were no dent marks,” he said, adding that there was no sign of impact with any vehicle.
Explaining the chronology of events, the IG said that Praveen first purchased liquor at Savera Liquor Mart in Nagole, and again at Aditya Wines in Kodad. He met with an accident at Jaggayyapeta while overtaking a lorry—narrowly avoiding a major crash thanks to a bus driver behind him.
When he crashed into a roadside booth and fell at Keesara, paramedics in an ambulance stopped to assist him. He then refueled at an Indian Oil petrol station in Gollapudi, making UPI payments. He fell again near Ramavarappadu. An auto driver informed Traffic Sub-Inspector Subba Rao, who offered him tea and advised him to rest—but Praveen continued his journey.
From Pottipadu, he rode using blinkers and bought liquor again near Eluru. The final accident occurred near the Nayara Petrol Bunk, where his bike slid and he succumbed to injuries. His body was discovered the next day.
The post-mortem report stated that he died due to severe head trauma and multiple injuries. “He spoke to six individuals during his trip from Hyderabad to Rajahmundry, and these were all routine conversations that showed no unusual behaviour,” IG Kumar added.