Wharton junior dies in car crash

A car accident that occurred early on New Year's Day claimed the life of Wharton junior and incoming InterFraternity Council Executive Vice President Yash Kasbekar.

According to police reports and information from family members, Kasbekar, 20, was travelling to his home town outside of Chicago, Ill., from Wisconsin where he had spent New Year's at a friend's lake house.

The car carrying Kasbekar and two other friends was reportedly forced off the road and into an embankment by another car, driven by a 16-year-old female, who then fled the scene.

The car, in which Kasbekar was a front seat passenger, reportedly swerved to avoid a collision with the other driver, and was forced into the embankment before rolling onto the passenger side. Neither the driver, or a third , female, passenger, seated directly behind the driver's seat were seriously injured, though the female passenger was taken to the local hospital and treated for minor injuries. All three passengers in Kasbekar's car were wearing their seatbelts and neither driver had consumed alcohol prior to driving. Police have identified the young driver who allegedly caused the accident and a lawsuit against her is currently pending. Funeral services for Kasbekar were held Saturday morning at 10 a.m. at Lain Sullivan Funeral Home in Park Forest, Ill. Because the accident occurred during the break, and many of Kasbekar's roommates and friends were unreachable in the days following his death, it was difficult for many of them to attend the services - though several did manage to make the trip on short notice. University President Judith Rodin released a statement Friday about the incident, as well. "We are saddened by this terribly tragic accident," Rodin said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Yash's family and friends." Kasbekar, who lived at 4046 Spruce Street with several of his close friends, had recently been elected executive vice president of the InterFraternity Council. According to incoming IFC President Conor Daly, Kasbekar was anxious and excited to begin the rush process this week. After transferring to Penn from Emory University in the fall of 2000, Kasbekar has - with what friends have described as his great determination, energy and quick wit - since made his mark in many University organizations. He was an active member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and was also very involved in the Wharton community. Last semester, Kasbekar was inducted into the Greek Honor Society, Omega. According to Omega President Anne Hankey, the honor society wants to mobilize in the coming days to donate charity money in Kasbekar's name or to create a plaque on campus, commemorating him as a great student and Greek leader. The office of the Vice Provost for University Life encourages any of Kasbekar's friends who may need any assistance to take advantage of the University's counseling services. This incident is the fourth student death the Penn community has dealt with this year. On Dec. 5, College Junior Abraham Huang died in a motorcycle accident on the Schuylkill expressway. Huang's motorcycle was the only vehicle involved in the accident. On Nov. 18, the body of Engineering graduate student Anirban Majumdar, 25, was pulled from the Schuylkill River near West River Drive and the Spring Garden Bridge after a two-week search for the missing native of Calcutta, India. Majumdar had last been seen by his roommates on Nov. 2, the night of his birthday. The cause of Majumdar's death remains a mystery, with officials deeming it as either an accident or a suicide. On Oct. 26, Wharton junior Jose Joseph fell over eight floors to his death from his room in Hamilton College House in what officials determined to be an apparent suicide.

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