Texas Teen Sentenced to 65 Years for Fatal Crash That Killed Six Indian-Origin Family Members

A nineteen-year-old Texas teenager, Luke Garrett Resecker, has received a 65-year prison sentence for causing a deadly collision that claimed the lives of six members of an Indian-origin family in 2023.

Authorities confirmed that Resecker, who was 17 when the incident occurred, had THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) in his system when his truck veered into opposing traffic, resulting in the fatal crash. THC is cannabis's primary psychoactive component responsible for creating the sensation of being "high."

The tragic accident took place at approximately 4:00 pm on December 26, 2023, along US Highway 67 near County Road 1119, south of Cleburne, Texas. The victims were returning from a family visit to the Fossil Rim Wildlife Center in Glen Rose when Resecker's Chevy Silverado collided with their Honda Odyssey minivan.

Six of the seven occupants in the minivan died instantly. They were identified as Rushil Barri, 28, from Irving, and five family members from Georgia: Naveena Potabathula, 36; Nageswararao Ponnada, 64; Sitamahalakshmi Ponnada, 60; 10-year-old Krithik Potabathula; and 9-year-old Nishidha Potabathula.

The sole survivor from the family, Lokesh Potabathula, lost his wife, two children, cousin, and in-laws in the devastating collision. According to CBS News, he was paralyzed from the waist down as a result of the crash.

Resecker's passenger, 17-year-old Preston Glass, also sustained a severe traumatic brain injury that left him mentally impaired, as stated by police in a Facebook announcement.

Investigators discovered THC wax, a vape pen, and marijuana inside Resecker's vehicle. Fox News reported that subsequent toxicology tests confirmed active THC in his system at the time of the collision.

Resecker initially faced charges including intoxication manslaughter, intoxication assault, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of marijuana.

During proceedings in Johnson County, prosecutors characterized the crash as completely avoidable. Assistant District Attorneys Connor Day and Stephanie Miller, who represented the prosecution for Johnson and Somervell counties, described the incident as "a sobering reminder of the irreversible consequences of impaired and reckless driving."

In her concluding arguments, Miller invoked each victim by name, stating, "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."