Two California college students were allegedly struck by a speeding Tesla driven by an intoxicated fraternity member who then fled, leaving the injured women lying in the road “like run over garbage,” a newly filed lawsuit claims.
Lilianne Burke and Zoey Archibald, both 19-year-old students at Cal Poly, were walking with friends to a birthday celebration when 20-year-old Ishan Pandhare allegedly hit them at roughly 60 mph in a posted 25 mph zone in San Luis Obispo on Jan. 8.
The crash occurred at about 9:31 p.m. near Crandall Way and Foothill Boulevard, according to the complaint filed July 10 in San Luis Obispo County Superior Court. Both women suffered severe injuries, underwent surgery and continue to require medical care, the lawsuit alleges.
Rather than stopping to assist, Pandhare allegedly drove away, leaving the two victims bleeding and helpless in the roadway.
The complaint alleges that the driver did not brake, sound his horn or make any visible effort to slow down either before or after striking the women.
The plaintiffs say the pair was “left like run over garbage in the roadway.”
Both students were taken by ambulance to a trauma center, where they were treated for serious but non-life-threatening injuries, The Tribune reported.
The women are now suing Pandhare, multiple fellow students and Cal Poly’s Kappa Sigma fraternity. The lawsuit alleges that the defendants contributed to the alcohol-fueled gatherings that preceded the collision.
According to the complaint, Pandhare was below California’s legal drinking age and had consumed alcohol at more than one gathering before driving a gray 2021 Tesla Model 3.
The defendants include 21-year-old Anna Grillo, who allegedly hosted a birthday party at her private home where alcohol was made available to Pandhare.
The lawsuit also identifies another gathering allegedly organized or hosted by Kappa Sigma members, including 21-year-old Aidan Jameson Kennedy and 22-year-old Kip Stackle.
Kennedy, who allegedly owned the Tesla, is accused of giving Pandhare the vehicle despite knowing—or having reason to believe—that he was intoxicated and incapable of driving safely.
The complaint further alleges that fraternity members regularly shared and drove one another’s cars.
Burke and Archibald accuse the fraternity and the other defendants of supplying alcohol to an underage student and promoting unsafe drinking behavior, including alleged hazing.
The complaint says alcohol allegedly encouraged or provided during fraternity activities formed part of a pattern of negligent initiation practices, hazing and other misconduct.
The students contend that the fraternity and the individuals who allegedly provided alcohol helped create the conditions that ultimately led to them being struck by the car.
“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,” Theo Emison, an attorney for Archibald, 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.”
Christopher Dolan, who represents Burke, also condemned what he called a shocking series of failures that preceded 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.
