Nemo, TX — A 17-year-old Texas teen, Luke Carrett Resecker, has been sentenced to 65 years in prison after being found guilty of a devastating DWI crash that killed six people and left one survivor paralyzed.
The 18th District Court in Johnson County convicted Resecker on multiple felony counts, including six counts of intoxication manslaughter with a deadly weapon, six counts of manslaughter with a deadly weapon, two counts of intoxication assault, and two counts of aggravated assault.
Assistant District Attorney Stephanie Miller concluded her closing argument with a plea for accountability:
“Justice for Rushil, Justice for Naveena, Justice for Nageswararao, Justice for Sitamahalakshmi, Justice for Kruthik, Justice for Nishidharaman, and Justice for Lokesh and Justice for this community.”
Deadly Christmas Week Crash
The charges stem from a December 26, 2023 crash that claimed six lives and injured several others. The horrific collision occurred around 4 p.m. near the intersection of U.S. 67 and Farm-to-Market Road 1119, roughly four miles northeast of Nemo.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, Resecker was driving his Chevrolet Silverado south on U.S. 67 when he crossed into oncoming traffic and collided head-on with a Honda Odyssey traveling north.
“The crash caused major damage to both vehicles,” investigators said, noting that Resecker’s pickup struck the Odyssey directly, killing nearly everyone inside.
The victims — all members of the Potabathula and Ponnada families — were returning from a family gathering when the crash occurred.
Victims and Sole Survivor
Those killed in the Odyssey included:
- Rushil Barri, 28 (driver)
- Naveena Potabathula, 39
- Nageswararao Ponnada, 64
- Sitamahalakshmi Ponnada, 60
- Kruthik Potabathula, 10
- Nishidha Potabathula, 9
The sole survivor, Lokesh Potabathula, lost his wife, two children, cousin, and in-laws. He was left paralyzed from the waist down due to his injuries.
Resecker’s passenger, 17-year-old Preston Glass, also sustained a traumatic brain injury that left him mentally impaired.
“This case stands as a sobering reminder of the irreversible consequences of impaired and reckless driving,” the Johnson and Somervell Counties District Attorney’s Office said.
THC Intoxication and Evidence
According to the indictment, Resecker was under the influence of THC at the time of the crash. Troopers found THC wax, marijuana, and a vape pen inside his truck following the collision.
“Resecker was intoxicated with THC while driving, which directly contributed to the crash that took six innocent lives,” prosecutors stated.
Assistant District Attorneys Connor Day and Stephanie Miller led the prosecution, presenting forensic evidence, toxicology reports, and crash reconstruction data that demonstrated Resecker’s reckless driving and intoxication.
Community Reaction and Call for Responsibility
The tragedy has deeply shaken Johnson County and neighboring communities, with local residents attending court hearings in support of the victims’ families.
Prosecutors emphasized that the sentence reflects not only justice for the victims but also a warning to young drivers about the deadly consequences of impaired driving.
“This community lost six beautiful lives that day,” ADA Miller said. “The sentence sends a message — one choice behind the wheel can destroy entire families.”
Resecker will serve his sentence in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, with eligibility for parole decades into the future.
What are your thoughts on this case and how communities can prevent tragedies caused by impaired driving? Share your views in the comments below.
