A devastating collision just after Christmas 2023 has now resulted in a lengthy prison sentence for the teen behind the wheel.

A Johnson County, Texas jury sentenced 19-year-old Luke Garrett Resecker to 65 years in prison following a deadly head-on crash in Texas that killed six members of a visiting family from Georgia and left two others, including Resecker’s passenger, with life-altering injuries, as Fox4 News reports.

The crash happened on Dec. 26, 2023, when then-18-year-old Luke Garrett Resecker was driving a Chevrolet Silverado eastbound on U.S. Highway 67 near County Road 1119, just outside Cleburne, Texas. Authorities said Resecker was under the influence of marijuana at the time and crossed into westbound traffic. His truck collided head-on with a Honda Odyssey minivan carrying a family visiting from Georgia for the holidays.

Inside the minivan were seven members of the Potabathula and Ponnada families. Six of them, including two children, died at the scene. The victims were identified as Rushil Barri, 28; Naveena Potabathula, 39; Kruthik Potabathula, 10; Nishidha Potabathula, 9; Nageswararao Ponnada, 64; and Sitamahalakshmi Ponnada, 60.

Only one person in the minivan survived -- 41-year-old Lokesh Potabathula -- but he was left paralyzed from the waist down. His wife, two children, cousin, and in-laws were all among the deceased. The family had recently moved from Plano, Texas, to Alpharetta, Georgia, and had returned to North Texas to spend the holidays with loved ones.

Teen Driver Found Impaired at Time of Crash

Investigators revealed that Resecker had tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive compound in marijuana, in his bloodstream at the time of the crash. A toxicology report and supporting affidavit confirmed that impairment played a significant factor. Further evidence included THC wax, a vape pen, and marijuana found in his truck at the crash scene.

Also injured was Resecker’s own passenger, 17-year-old Preston Glass. Glass sustained a severe traumatic brain injury and was left mentally impaired as a result of the collision. Officials have not released further updates on his ongoing condition.

Following the crash, Resecker faced multiple charges, including six counts of intoxication manslaughter, two counts of intoxication assault, and additional drug possession charges. His arrest marked the beginning of a lengthy legal process that eventually brought the case to trial nearly two years later.

Legal Proceedings Unfold

In early 2024, Resecker posted bail and was placed under monitored home confinement due to injuries sustained in the crash. Legal proceedings continued throughout 2024 and 2025 as both prosecution and defense prepared for trial. Community members and relatives of the victims awaited justice for the devastating loss they suffered.

In late October, a Johnson County jury heard several days' worth of testimony during a week-long trial. After careful consideration, the jury returned a sentence of 65 years in state prison for Resecker. The punishment reflects the severity of the deaths and permanent injuries caused by the collision.

Resecker, now 19, will be eligible for parole after serving a significant portion of his sentence under Texas law. Exact parole eligibility calculations will depend on various legal factors, including time served and behavior during incarceration.

Crash Claimed Lives From Multiple Generations

The victims represented three generations of a close-knit family. Rushil Barri had recently moved to Texas from India to pursue graduate studies and had been living in Irving. Other family members had previously resided in Plano before relocating to Georgia for work and school opportunities.

The holiday trip back to North Texas was intended to be a joyful reunion, but instead ended in tragedy. Local authorities and emergency responders described the scene as one of the most harrowing they've encountered in recent memory.

While friends and family members have held several private memorials in both Texas and Georgia, the case became a rallying point for community awareness around drugged driving. No additional charges are pending in connection with the crash, and the case is now considered closed from a criminal standpoint.

Lessons to Learn

1. Driving under the influence of any substance has deadly consequences. Regardless of legality in some states, marijuana impairs coordination, reaction time, and judgment, all of which can be fatal behind the wheel. Drivers must treat THC impairment as seriously as alcohol.

2. Holiday travel comes with heightened risks. Major travel periods often see increased traffic volume and a higher incidence of impaired driving. Families traveling during holidays should take extra precautions, stay alert, and avoid night travel when possible.

3. Even the safest families can be victims. The Potabathula-Ponnada family had no role in causing the crash but suffered the consequences. This serves as a reminder that defensive driving and adherence to safety measures can’t always prevent tragedy -- blame should never be placed on victims.

Why This Story Matters

Cases like this put a spotlight on the often-overlooked dangers of drug-impaired driving and remind communities that reckless decisions can destroy lives in seconds.

The loss experienced by one family resonates far beyond state lines and underscores the need for prompt legislative and educational action. It's also a call to support victims of crimes involving vehicular manslaughter.