Johnson County, TX — A 19-year-old Texas teen, Luke Resecker, will spend 65 years in prison after being found guilty in a tragic crash that killed six members of a visiting family on U.S. Highway 67 nearly two years ago.
The crash, which involved a pickup truck veering into oncoming traffic and colliding with a minivan, left a single survivor paralyzed from the waist down.
Deadly Holiday Crash
The December 26, 2023, collision occurred when Resecker lost control of his pickup truck while high on THC, authorities said. The truck crossed the double yellow line, entering oncoming traffic before striking a minivan carrying seven members of the Potabathula and Ponnada families, visiting from Alpharetta, Georgia, and India for the holidays.
The crash resulted in the deaths of:
- Rushil Barri, 28
- Nageswararao Ponnada, 64
- Sitamahalakshmi Ponnada, 60
- Naveena Potabathula, 36
- Krithik Potabathula, 10
- Nishidha Potabathula, 9
Lokesh Potabathula, 43, was the only survivor, left critically injured and paralyzed from the waist down. He lost his wife, two children, parents-in-law, and cousin in the crash.
Charges and Conviction
After a lengthy investigation, Resecker was convicted on October 27 of:
- Six counts of manslaughter
- Two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon
- Six counts of driving while intoxicated
The Johnson and Somervelle County District Attorney’s Office reported that THC wax, marijuana, and a vape pen were found in Resecker’s vehicle. His passenger, 17-year-old Preston Glass, suffered a traumatic brain injury that left him mentally impaired.
Investigation Details
According to the crash report, Resecker’s pickup truck veered into oncoming traffic before striking the minivan driven by Barri, which carried members of the Ponnada and Potabathula families. Authorities determined that the teen was under the influence at the time, making the collision preventable.
The Potabathula family had traveled from Georgia to Texas for the holidays, while the Ponnadas were visiting from India. Barri, a cousin of the Potabathulas, had been studying in Texas after moving from India.
Community and Family Impact
The crash has left a lasting mark on both the Texas and Alpharetta, Georgia, communities. Authorities and families are calling attention to the dangers of impaired driving, particularly among teen drivers. The loss of six family members has devastated relatives and friends, and the survivor now faces a lifetime of challenges.
Officials emphasize the importance of safe driving, noting that the crash could have been prevented had Resecker not been driving under the influence of THC.
Do you believe harsher measures are needed to prevent drug-impaired driving among teens in Texas? Share your opinions and condolences for the victims in the comments below.
