Drug-addled teen who killed 6 people after driving on wrong side charged with intoxication manslaughter
Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.
JOHNSON COUNTY, TEXAS: An 18-year-old man in Texas faces allegations of driving into oncoming traffic on a highway while reportedly under the influence of THC.
Six out of seven passengers, all Georgia family members, lost their lives in the incident. The incident occurred on the day after Christmas.
According to court records, Luke Garrett Resecker was arraigned on six counts of "intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle," two counts of intoxication assault, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of marijuana when he appeared before Johnson County District Court Judge Sydney Hewlett on Tuesday, March 26th.
Victims of crash identified
The individuals who tragically lost their lives in the crash on December 26th were Rushil Barri, 28; Nageswararao Ponnada, 64; Sitamahalakshmi Ponnada, 60; Naveena Potabathula, 36; Krithik Potabathula, 10; and Nishidha Potabathula, 9.
This information was released by the Texas Department of Public Safety. Lokesh Potabathula, 43, the seventh victim, sustained critical injuries and was admitted to the hospital.
According to court records obtained by Dallas Fox affiliate KDFW, authorities found THC wax, a THC vape pen, and marijuana inside Resecker's car.
At the time of the tragic incident, a blood test revealed a positive result for THC. Following the collision, Resecker, who was 17 at the time, was also critically injured and taken to the hospital.
According to The Dallas Morning News, a Public Safety Department spokesman stated that Resecker was not considered "medically fit" to be taken to jail because of his injuries.
A judge ruled that he had to stay inside his house and wear a GPS tracker. Later, to remain under home confinement, he posted a $50,000 bond.
Luke Resecker's Silverado collides with Honda Odyssey minivan
Resecker was driving southwest on US 67 in a white Chevrolet Silverado pickup when he allegedly veered over the double yellow line of the divided highway and started driving into oncoming traffic heading northeast, according to a copy of the preliminary crash report obtained by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Resecker's Silverado and the gray Honda Odyssey minivan with the passengers allegedly attempted to swerve out of each other's way, but the two cars collided head-on and came to a sudden stop on the highway.
There were reports of a passenger in Resecker's vehicle not using a seat belt. Along with Lokesh Potabathula, the only other survivor of the minivan who was sitting in the second row on the left side and was not using a seat belt, the two of them were reportedly airlifted to nearby hospitals.
According to reports, neither vehicle's occupants were ejected.
According to the Star-Telegram, the victims were from India and were in Texas visiting relatives when the accident occurred. It was said that they were returning from a visit to the Fossil Rim Wildlife Center.
