In a small Texas community, a heart-wrenching incident unfolded, leaving a family shattered and a whole community in mourning. The shocking aftermath of a fatal collision caused by an intoxicated teenage driver has left six people dead and one miraculously surviving with severe injuries.
Luke Garrett Resecker, an 18-year-old teenager, allegedly caused the devastating crash while driving under the influence, just a day after Christmas. The victims were all members of the same family, including Rushil Barri, 28, Nageswararao Ponnada, 64, Sitamahalakshmi Ponnada, 60, Naveena Potabathula, 36, Krithik Potabathula, 10, and Nishidha Potabathula, 9. They had been visiting relatives in Texas from India when tragedy struck.
Resecker, appearing in a new mugshot image with a disturbing grin, now faces serious charges. He is accused of six counts of intoxication manslaughter, along with additional charges of intoxication assault and possession of controlled substances. Investigators believe that Resecker was under the influence of THC, the active component in marijuana, at the time of the accident. Marijuana and a vape pen containing THC were reportedly found in his white Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck.
The collision occurred on December 26, 2023, when Resecker’s pickup truck veered into oncoming traffic on US 67, crashing head-on into the family’s Honda Odyssey minivan. Despite their desperate attempts to evade the oncoming vehicle, the family was unable to avoid the devastating impact. Both vehicles suffered extensive damage, resulting in tragic consequences.
Survivors, including Resecker, were airlifted to nearby hospitals by helicopter rescue teams. Due to his injuries, Resecker was deemed medically unfit for jail and was placed under house arrest with a GPS monitor after posting bond.
The lone survivor, Lokesh Potabuthala, endured unimaginable loss, losing his wife, children, parents-in-law, and cousin in the tragic accident. He himself suffered severe injuries, including a deep intestinal wound and multiple fractures throughout his body. The road to recovery remains uncertain for him.
Rushil Barri, the driver of the minivan, had moved to Texas from India in August 2020, while the other family members were residents of Alpharetta, Georgia. The family had been returning from a trip to the Fossil Rim Wildlife Center when the tragic crash occurred.
The devastating incident has deeply affected those close to the victims. Barri’s roommate, Ayyappala Bandaru, described him as ambitious and driven, emphasizing the aspirations and dreams they had shared. Bandaru expressed his shock and disbelief upon hearing the news of the crash.
This heartbreaking tragedy serves as a somber reminder of the severe consequences of driving under the influence. It has created an immense void in the lives of those who knew and loved the victims, underscoring the utmost importance of responsible and safe driving practices to prevent such senseless loss of innocent lives in the future.
