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Background: News footage of the crash on Dec. 26, 2023 that killed six members of one family (WXIA). Inset (left): Luke Resecker (Texas Department of Public Safety). Inset (right): The Potabathula and Ponnada families (GoFundMe).
A tragic incident involving a Texas teenager, under the influence of THC, culminated in a devastating crash that claimed the lives of six family members. This young driver, Luke Resecker, 19, has now been sentenced to a lengthy prison term following his conviction on multiple charges.
On October 27, Resecker was found guilty on six counts of manslaughter nearly two years after the catastrophic event. Behind the wheel of his pickup truck, he veered into oncoming traffic and collided head-on with a minivan carrying seven family members. The crash resulted in six fatalities and left the sole survivor paralyzed from the waist down. Resecker, along with his passenger who suffered a traumatic brain injury, were also injured in the crash, as reported by the Johnson and Somervell County District Attorney’s Office.
Additionally, Resecker faced convictions for two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and six counts of driving while intoxicated. The jury ultimately decided on a 65-year prison sentence for him.
The Texas Department of Safety identified the victims of the December 26, 2023, accident. Those who perished included Rushil Barri, 28; Nageswararao Ponnada, 64; Sitamahalakshmi Ponnada, 60; Naveena Potabathula, 36; Krithik Potabathula, 10; and Nishidha Potabathula, 9. The lone survivor, Lokesh Potabathula, 43, endured critical injuries and faced the heartbreaking loss of his wife, two children, in-laws, and cousin.
According to Atlanta-based NBC affiliate WXIA, the Potabathula family was in Texas visiting relatives for the holidays, having traveled from their residence in Alpharetta, Georgia. The Ponnadas were in the United States visiting from India, while Barri, a cousin, was a student in Texas, originally from India.
Police said that Resecker had THC in his system at the time of the crash. Authorities found THC wax, marijuana, and a vape pen in his car.
Dallas-based Fox affiliate KDFW reported that Resecker’s passenger, 17-year-old Preston Glass, sustained a traumatic brain injury that left him mentally impaired.
As Law&Crime previously reported, a crash report stated that Resecker veered into oncoming traffic when he crossed the double yellow line on the U.S. 67 highway. He drove the wrong way until he hit the minivan that was being driven by Barri and carrying the Ponnada and Potabathula families.