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.

Mississippi State and Georgia will match up Saturday with one set of Bulldogs looking for bowl eligibility, the other looking to find their way into the College Football Playoff. Brian Hadad welcomes Buck Belue, quarterback of Georgia’s 1980 national championship team and host of the Buck Belue Show on 680 The Fan to the pod for a Bulldog vs. Bulldog preview.

Georgia’s reputation as a political battleground isn’t slowing down after Tuesday’s election. 

Across the state, a new wave of high-stakes local elections for mayor, the Public Service Commission, city councils, and the General Assembly could reshape who holds power in metro Atlanta and beyond.

Here’s how the elections played out:

State House District 106

In Gwinnett County’s State House District 106, Democrat Marqus Cole has been declared the victor over Democrat Akbar Ali, Democrat Marqus Cole and Republican Jamie Parker

The seat became open after Democratic state Rep. Shelly Hutchinson announced her retirement in August. Hutchinson said that she had to step back from some legislative duties due to a “serious health crisis” in her family, and was called to be more present as a caretaker and daughter.

South Fulton mayor’s race

Voters in South Fulton chose not to give the city’s second-ever mayor another four years in office, but who will lead the city remains uncertain.

Councilmember Carmalitha L. Gumbs, who finished with 39.3% of the vote, will face District 7 Councilman and two-term Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Mark Baker in a runoff. No candidate secured more than 51% of the vote.

Mayor Khalid Kamau, who goes by Mayor Kobi, garnered less than 5% of votes, according to the Secretary of State’s Office. He announced that he would not be seeking reelection in April, citing the position’s annual salary. Months later, he reversed his decision, choosing to run for a second term amid multiple fights with the South Fulton City Council and allegations over improper city spending. 

Marietta mayor’s race

In Marietta, 78-year-old incumbent Mayor Steve “Thunder” Tumlin is projected to beat Sam Foster, a 24-year-old systems engineer and community organizer, to secure his fifth term in office.

In 2017, Marietta approved term limits that restrict elected officials to three four-year terms. The new rule wasn’t retroactive, allowing Tumlin to run again this year. 

His latest term will count as his third under the new limits.  

Sandy Springs mayor’s race

Mayor Rusty Paul was re-elected for a fourth consecutive term. Paul, who had previously been the chair of the Georgia Republican Party, is the city’s second mayor. Democratic activist Dontaye Carter also lost to Paul four years ago

Stone Mountain mayor’s race

Jelani Linder garnered more votes than the incumbent, Dr. Beverly Jones, to become the next mayor of Stone Mountain. 

What’s next

On Nov. 18, a special election will be held for Georgia State Senate District 35 for Jason Esteves’ seat, who is running for governor next year. CBS Atlanta will continue to track the key races shaping Georgia’s political future — from the Capitol to City Hall.