Post by : Rameen Ariff

In a tragic turn of events, Luke Garrett Resecker, a teenager from Texas, has been handed a 65-year prison sentence for a devastating crash in 2023 that resulted in the deaths of six Indian-origin family members. At the time of the accident, Resecker was just 17 years old and under the influence of THC, the primary psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, as confirmed by local authorities.

The catastrophic incident occurred on December 26, 2023, at approximately 4:00 pm along US Highway 67 near County Road 1119, south of Cleburne, Texas. The victims were returning home from a family outing at the Fossil Rim Wildlife Center in Glen Rose, traveling in their Honda Odyssey minivan when Resecker’s Chevy Silverado veered into their lane.

Tragically, six out of seven passengers in the minivan lost their lives instantly. Among them were Rushil Barri (28) from Irving, alongside five relatives from Georgia: Naveena Potabathula (36), Nageswararao Ponnada (64), Sitamahalakshmi Ponnada (60), and two children, 10-year-old Krithik Potabathula and 9-year-old Nishidha Potabathula. The only survivor, Lokesh Potabathula, was left paralyzed from the waist down, having lost his wife, children, cousin, and in-laws in the collision.

Resecker’s passenger, Preston Glass, also a 17-year-old, suffered severe traumatic brain injuries, resulting in mental impairment. Evidence collected from Resecker’s vehicle included THC wax, a vape pen, and marijuana, with toxicology reports confirming active THC levels in his bloodstream during the crash.

During the trial in Johnson County, prosecutors emphasized that the crash was preventable, stressing the grave dangers associated with driving under the influence. Assistant District Attorneys Connor Day and Stephanie Miller characterized it as a sobering reminder of the life-altering consequences of reckless driving.

In her closing arguments, Miller passionately recounted the names of each victim, declaring, “Justice for Rushil, Justice for Naveena, Justice for Nageswararao, Justice for Sitamahalakshmi, Justice for Krithik, Justice for Nishidha, and Justice for Lokesh and justice for this community.”

Facing multiple charges including intoxication manslaughter, intoxication assault, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of marijuana, Resecker’s sentencing marks a critical step toward accountability for one of the region's most devastating traffic incidents linked to impaired driving.

This case serves as a dire reminder of the fatal risks connected with drug-impaired driving, urging teenagers and drivers everywhere to acknowledge the serious consequences of driving under the influence.

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