Padma Lakshmi’s Driver’s 21-Year-Old Daughter Left Blinded And Severely Burnt By Acid Attack

Surveillance footage caught the harrowing attack on a 21-year-old woman right outside her home. The victim, whose identity was not confirmed by the police, stepped out of their car outside their home in Elmont, New York. Shortly after leaving the car a man approached her from behind, threw acid in her face and ran away. The woman has been left with life-altering injuries. Police are investigating the incident.

A GoFundMe started by a woman named Shazia Anjum claims that she, with permission from the victim, was sharing the incident and gathering funds to help the family. She revealed the victim as Nafiah Fatima a Hofstra University student. Sharing the images of some of the victim’s burns, Anjum detailed the attack and shares regular updates.

On March 17, around 7:40 p.m. local time, Fatima and her mother got out of their car right outside their home. The older woman, as seen in the surveillance footage, went inside their home first. Fatima was following her mother into their home when a man is seen running towards her from behind. Just as the victim is about to enter her home, he is seen grabbing her from behind, throwing something at her and then running away. It is unknown if the man was known to the victim. His motive also remains unclear.

People reported that the man in a white cup had a brown acid that he used to injure the woman. As the corrosive substance burnt her skin, the young woman tried to scream leading to the substance entering and burning her mouth and tongue. She narrowly survived as the acid did not enter her lungs. However, she may have lost her sight as the contact lenses she had on melted on her eyes.

She ran into her home for help. While trying to help their child, the woman’s parents sustained acid burns as well. They called 911 and the victim was taken to a hospital. Nassau Police have launched an investigation.

The family is being supported by their neighbor whose GoFundMe has raised over $200k. Hopclear reported that the donors included Top Chef Star Padma Lakshmi.

Padma Lakshmi shared tweets regarding the attack. She revealed that the woman was the daughter of her driver. She urged people to donate for the woman’s treatment.

Investigation into the incident continues as the attacker remains unidentified.