Georgia
Teen driver sentenced to 65 years for crash that killed 6 Georgia family members
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.
Georgia
Georgia State Rep. Sharon Henderson charged with stealing nearly $18K in pandemic unemployment funds
Georgia State Representative Sharon Henderson is facing federal charges after investigators say she illegally collected nearly $18,000 in pandemic unemployment benefits while serving as an elected official.
According to prosecutors, Henderson began applying for the benefits in June 2020, when she was still a candidate for the Georgia House. Investigators say she claimed she was working as a substitute teacher for Henry County Schools, even though she had not worked for the district since 2018.
Henderson was arrested Monday morning. She is expected to plead not guilty during a court appearance Monday afternoon. Both state and federal agencies participated in the investigation.
“It is shocking that a public official would allegedly lie to profit from an emergency program designed to help suffering community members,” U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg said in a statement. “Politicians who violate the public trust and steal from the needy to enrich themselves will be held accountable.”
Investigators say Henderson falsely reported in her application that she worked for the school system throughout 2019 and as recently as March 10, 2020, and that her workplace had shut down because of the COVID-19 public health emergency.
She then allegedly filed weekly certifications claiming she could not report to work due to COVID-19 quarantine restrictions. Court filings show that even after she was sworn in as the representative for District 113, Henderson submitted eight additional certifications around June 2021. She was elected in 2020 and reelected in 2022 and 2024 to represent western Newton County and part of Covington.
“Sharon Henderson allegedly chose greed over compassion by fraudulently obtaining funds meant to help those in need, some in her own Georgia House district,” said FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown. “We remain committed to finding those who take advantage of federal programs meant to help those truly in need.”
Henderson is accused of collecting $17,811 in fraudulent benefits. She is charged with two counts of theft of government funds and ten counts of making false statements.
CBS News Atlanta has reached out to Henderson’s office but has not received a response.
Georgia Southern will meet Appalachian State in the JLab Birmingham Bowl on Dec. 29 at Protective Stadium, bowl officials announced Sunday.
After several qualified teams opted out of the postseason this year, the Birmingham Bowl was forced to pair two Sun Belt teams in a rematch from the regular season. The Eagles (6-6) accepted the invitation earlier in the day, but several other 5-7 teams reportedly turned down a chance to play in the game before the Mountaineers finally accepted about two hours after all 81 of the other bowl slots were filled.
Georgia Southern won the regular-season meeting with App State 25-23 on Nov. 6 in Boone, N.C. Both teams are making their first trip to the Birmingham Bowl.
“Georgia Southern is proud to accept an invitation to the JLab Birmingham Bowl and we look forward to a matchup against App State,” Georgia Southern athletics director Chris Davis said. “Competing in the postseason is always a special opportunity, and it reflects the hard work and commitment of our student-athletes, coaches and staff. Our team is excited for the chance to represent Eagle Nation, our institution and our alumni on ESPN, and we’re grateful to Executive Director Mark Meadows and the Birmingham Bowl committee for this opportunity.
“Our great fans have always traveled to each of our previous seven bowl games, and I have no doubt they will descend upon Birmingham for this game. Hail Southern!”
Notre Dame (10-2) turned down a bowl bid after being left out of the College Football Playoff, while Iowa State (8-4) and Kansas State (6-6) opted out of the postseason following coaching changes, resulting in a trickle-down effect involving several bowls.
Various bowl officials then made their way through the 5-7 teams by order of their Academic Progress Rate scores, but Mississippi State opted for the Duke’s Mayo Bowl and Rice accepted an invitation to the Armed Forces Bowl. Auburn, Florida State, Baylor, Kansas, Central Florida and Temple all turned down a trip to Birmingham, according to a report by On3’s Brett McMurphy.
Georgia Southern and App State are not only Sun Belt rivals, but longtime adversaries dating to their days as FCS powerhouses. In the rivalry known as “Deeper Than Hate,” the Mountaineers lead 22-18-1 all-time.
“We are honored and excited to accept the JLab Birmingham Bowl’s invitation to play Georgia Southern on December 29th‚” App State AD Doug Gillin said. “Playing postseason football is special. It’s another opportunity to display the App State brand in front of a national audience.
“We are excited for our football program and for App Nation for this opportunity to watch our team compete for a bowl championship.”
Kickoff for the 2025 JLab Birmingham Bowl is set for 1 p.m. Central on Dec. 29, with television coverage on ESPN.
The SEC Champion Georgia Bulldogs have secured a first-round bye in this year’s College Football Playoff.
What we know:
Georgia earned its second straight top-four ranking, coming in at No. 3 in the CFP bracket.
Despite a loss on Saturday, Ohio State landed at No. 2. Indiana, still undefeated, holds the No. 1 spot.
2024 College Football Playoff Rankings
Big picture view:
- Indiana
- Ohio State
- Georgia
- Texas Tech
- Oregon
- Ole Miss
- Texas A&M
- Oklahoma
What’s next:
Georgia will play their first game in the playoffs at the Allstate Sugar Bowl on Thursday, Jan. 1, in the Caesars Superdome. The Bulldogs will face the winner of the College Football Playoff First-Round Game between Ole Miss and Tulane. The Allstate Sugar Bowl is scheduled to kick off at 7 p.m. (Central) and will be televised by ESPN.
The Source: Information in this article came from the Associated Press and The Sugar Bowl Committee.
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