Indian-American student at University of Illinois Akul Dhawan dies of hypothermia

In a tragic incident last month, 18-year-old Indian-American student Akul Dhawan was found dead due to hypothermia after “acute alcohol intoxication and prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures,” as stated by the Champaign County Coroner’s Office in Illinois. Dhawan, a student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, went missing for several hours before his body was discovered on January 20 on the back porch of a building near the university campus in west Urbana, Illinois.

This unfortunate event has drawn attention to the dangers of alcohol consumption combined with extreme weather conditions. The coroner’s findings highlighted that the combination of acute alcohol intoxication and prolonged exposure to the brutal cold significantly contributed to Dhawan’s death. At the time he was found, there were evident signs of hypothermia, but the exact cause of death was pending investigation by the campus police.

On the night of his disappearance, Dhawan was out with friends and attempted to enter the Canopy Club, a venue close to the campus. However, his entry was denied by the club’s staff multiple times. Despite being offered two rideshare vehicles, Dhawan turned them down. The Midwest was experiencing severe cold and freezing temperatures at the time, with wind chills reaching between -20 to -30 degrees.

Efforts to locate Dhawan were made, including several unanswered calls and a search initiated by the campus police, who patrolled the area he was likely to have taken back to campus. It wasn’t until the next morning that an employee of the university discovered Dhawan’s body and alerted the authorities.

Akul Dhawan’s parents, Ish and Ritu Dhawan, mentioned that their son was found merely 400 feet from where he was reported missing, based on the location-tracking data on his phone. Dhawan, who had turned 18 in September of the previous year, was studying robotics at the University of Illinois’ Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, a decision he made despite his parents’ wish for him to stay closer to home.

This incident serves as a poignant reminder of the risks associated with alcohol consumption, particularly in conjunction with exposure to extreme weather conditions. It underscores the need for increased awareness and preventive measures to ensure student safety, especially in environments prone to severe weather.

The tragic death of Akul Dhawan underscores a critical need for universities and communities to enhance safety protocols, especially regarding student activities during extreme weather conditions. It highlights the importance of responsible alcohol consumption and the availability of safe transportation options for students. Furthermore, this incident calls for increased collaboration between university authorities, local businesses, and law enforcement to create a safer environment for students, emphasizing the critical role of immediate action and communication in emergency situations.