Georgia

Teen driver sentenced to 65 years for crash that killed 6 Georgia family members

Published

4 months ago

November 6, 2025

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Teen driver sentenced to 65 years for crash that killed 6 Georgia family members

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Luke Resecker (Source: Texas DPS)

JOHNSON COUNTY, Texas – Nearly two years after a devastating head-on crash that killed six members of a visiting Georgia family, a Johnson County jury has sentenced 19-year-old Luke Garrett Resecker to 65 years in prison.

The fatal crash and victims

What we know:

The verdict follows a week-long trial in which prosecutors said Resecker was under the influence of marijuana when he crossed into oncoming traffic on U.S. Highway 67 near County Road 1119 outside Cleburne on December 26, 2023.

Resecker’s Chevy Silverado collided head-on with a Honda Odyssey minivan, killing six of the seven occupants inside.

Those killed were 28-year-old Rushil Barri, 39-year-old Naveena Potabathula, 64-year-old Nageswararao Ponnada, 60-year-old Sitamahalakshmi Ponnada, 10-year-old Kruthik Potabathula and 9-year-old Nishidha Potabathula.

The lone survivor from the minivan, Lokesh Potabathula, lost his wife, two children, cousin and in-laws in the crash. He survived but was left paralyzed from the waist down.

Resecker’s passenger, 17-year-old Preston Glass, suffered a severe traumatic brain injury that left him mentally impaired.

Marijuana found in truck

Dig deeper:

Potabathula’s family had recently moved from Plano to Alpharetta, Georgia, returning to North Texas to visit friends over the holidays. Barri, his cousin, had moved from India for graduate studies and was living and working in Irving.

An affidavit and toxicology report showed that THC was present in Resecker’s system at the time of the crash. Troopers also found THC wax, a vape pen, and marijuana inside his truck.

When charges were first filed in early 2024, Resecker faced six counts of intoxication manslaughter, two counts of intoxication assault, and drug-possession charges. Due to injuries from the crash, he was placed on monitored home confinement after posting bond.

Trial and sentencing

Local perspective:

During closing arguments, Assistant District Attorney Stephanie Miller invoked each victim’s name, saying:

“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.”

The district attorney’s office thanked jurors, investigators, and prosecutors for their dedication, calling the case “by no means an easy one.”

The jury ultimately sentenced Resecker to 65 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

A message on reckless driving

What’s next:

The Johnson and Somervell Counties District Attorney’s Office said the case stands as a sobering reminder of the irreversible consequences of impaired and reckless driving.

Assistant District Attorneys Connor Day and Stephanie Miller prosecuted the case.

The Source: Information in this article was provided by a social media post from the Johnson and Somervell County District Attorney’s Office.

Crime and Public SafetyJohnson County

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Georgia

Arizona alum Damon Stoudamire out as Georgia Tech’s head coach

Published

12 hours ago

March 8, 2026

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Arizona alum Damon Stoudamire out as Georgia Tech’s head coach

Former Arizona Wildcats great Damon Stoudamire is out as head coach of Georgia Tech after three seasons at school.

Georgia Tech made the decision Sunday to fire Stoudamire, one day after the Yellow Jackets finished the regular season with an 11-20 record and a 2-16 mark in the ACC. Greg Gary will serve as interim coach. Georgia Tech, which finished last in the ACC, did not qualify for the league tournament.

Georgia Tech owes Stoudamire $2.6 million over the next two years, ESPN reported.

The Yellow Jackets showed promise in Stoudamire’s first two seasons. Georgia Tech finished 14-18 in 2023-24, highlighted by a win over Duke. In 2024-25 the Yellow Jackets went 17-17 and made the first round of the NIT.

Georgia Tech was a disaster this season, however, losing its last 12 games.

Stoudamire was hired by Georgia Tech while serving as an assistant on the Boston Celtics staff. Prior to that, he spent five years as head coach at Pacific, where he went 71-77. Stoudamire previously served as an assistant at Memphis and Arizona.

He is the second ex-UA player that Georgia Tech fired as its basketball coach. Josh Pastner, now at UNLV, went 109-114 in Atlanta from 2016-23.

In 2021 Arizona interviewed Stoudamire for the Wildcats head coaching job. The UA hired Gonzaga assistant Tommy Lloyd instead.

Stoudamire played four seasons at Arizona (1991-95), taking the Wildcats to the 1993-94 Final Four and earning First-Team All-American honors the following year as a senior.

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Georgia

Georgia is No. 1 state for business, but can workers afford to live here?

Published

24 hours ago

March 8, 2026

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Georgia is No. 1 state for business, but can workers afford to live here?

opinion

While most states’ minimum wage rates exceed federal law, the Peach State has fallen behind.

An Atlanta rally in 2016 demanded a $15 minimum wage. Georgia’s minimum wage is still $5.15 in 2026. (John Spink/AJC)

By Christian Wise Smith – For The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

48 minutes ago

Georgia proudly claims the title of No. 1 state for business for the 12th year running. But if Georgia is such a great place to do business, why are so many of its workers struggling to get by?

On January 1, 2026, 19 states raised their minimum wage rates. California went to $16.90. New York City hit $17. Georgia? Georgia kept its state minimum wage right where it’s been for decades: $5.15 an hour.

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Raising Georgians’ pay should be a bipartisan effort

Christian Wise Smith is a former prosecutor and Democratic candidate for Georgia labor commissioner in the May 2026 primary. (Courtesy)

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FDR showed American an example of positive action

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Georgia

Georgia basketball rises in latest NCAA Tournament projections

Published

2 days ago

March 7, 2026

Press Room

Georgia basketball rises in latest NCAA Tournament projections

An updated version of ESPN’s bracketology for the NCAA Tournament has been released, per Joe Lunardi.

Georgia is currently listed as a 8 seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Dawgs have been red hot as of late, as Georgia was able to defeat No. 16 Alabama in Athens in what was a massive upset. Star sophomore Kanon Catchings was great in the win over the Tide, as the talented forward recorded an extremely impressive 32 points.

Georgia currently holds an overall record of 21-9 with just one game on the regular season schedule remaining. The Dawgs could make a run in both the SEC and NCAA Tournament later this month, as Georgia finds themselves listed as a No. 8 seed in March Madness projections following the upset over Alabama. Georgia is projected to play No. 9 seed NC State in the San Diego region with the winner likely playing No. 1 seeded Arizona.

The Dawgs will face Mississippi State on the road in Starkville on Saturday afternoon, as Georgia is widely considered to be a lock for the NCAA Tournament following an impressive string of victories throughout the second half of SEC play.

Georgia’s win over Alabama improved their SEC record to 9-8, as the Dawgs will look to end the regular season on an authoritative note against the other Bulldogs.

Follow UGA Wire on Instagram or Threads for more Georgia basketball coverage!

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