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.
Three men from Georgia are behind bars after police say they tried to break into the home of reality TV star Larsa Pippen in Pinecrest — and it was all caught on camera.
According to the Pinecrest Police Department, the attempted burglary happened Sunday afternoon along Southwest 113th Street.
Surveillance video shows two men trying to force their way into the home. Authorities say Pippen was not inside at the time — but was watching the situation unfold live through her security cameras.
“The resident of the house was not home at the time — was actually watching live on her security cameras,” said Pinecrest Police Chief Jason Cohen.
Police identified the suspects as Elijah Russell, Treison Booker, and Cortez Johnson.
Investigators say after attempting to break into the home, the men fled in a getaway car — but crashed near Southwest 94th Street and 57th Avenue. From there, they ran into the surrounding neighborhood.
“At this point, the occupants of the vehicle scatter into the neighborhood,” Cohen said.
A large police response followed, with assistance from Coral Gables Police Department, South Miami Police Department, and the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities say a K-9 unit tracked down one suspect in a nearby yard, while another ran across 57th Avenue and jumped into a canal. A third suspect was later found hiding in a neighbor’s bushes after a resident called police.
Cohen says he personally chased that suspect, who also jumped a fence and into a canal before being taken into custody.
All three men are now facing burglary charges and remain in custody. Police say each suspect has a prior criminal history.
During a court appearance Monday, a judge noted Russell had an active warrant out of Georgia tied to felony armed robbery and aggravated assault with a weapon.
Prosecutors also cited Cortez Johnson’s prior probation violations, failures to appear, and past convictions. Treison Booker was also described as having a criminal history in Georgia.
Police estimate the damage to the home at around $1,000.
A person close to Pippen told CBS News Miami it has been a difficult few days for her.
No injuries were reported.
Authorities say additional charges could still be filed as the investigation continues.
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