A tragic highway collision in Johnson County, Texas, has resulted in the deaths of six individuals, including five members of a family from Andhra Pradesh, India, and left three others critically injured.
On the afternoon of December 26, 2023, a severe accident occurred on U.S. Highway 67, a road known for its heavy traffic, particularly during rush hours. The crash involved a head-on collision between a Honda Odyssey minivan and a pickup truck, resulting in immediate fatalities and several critical injuries.
The victims were a family from Alpharetta, Georgia, returning from Christmas celebrations in Texas. Those who lost their lives were Nageshwara Rao Ponnada, 64, Seetha Mahalakshmi Ponnada, 60, their daughter Naveena Potabathula, 36, and two grandchildren, Kruthik, 10, and Nishita, 9. Lokesh Potabathula, 43, the son-in-law of Nageshwara Rao and the only survivor from the minivan, was critically injured with ongoing multiple surgeries. He is said to have lost his sight and may not walk again. The Ponnadas were visiting their daughter and family from India.
The pickup truck’s occupants, 17-year-olds Luke Resecker and Preston Glass, also sustained critical injuries in the crash and were airlifted to hospitals in the Fort Worth area. Their car was responsible for the accident by crossing over from the southbound lane to the northbound lane in a no-passing zone and hitting the minivan.
The minivan’s driver, 28-year-old Rushil Barri of Irving, a cousin of Lokesh’s, was among the deceased.
In response to the collision, emergency services closed U.S. Highway 67 for several hours for scene management and initial investigations. The Texas Department of Public Safety, in conjunction with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, is thoroughly investigating to determine the cause of the tragedy.
The incident has resonated deeply within the local and Indian-American communities. The Telugu Association of North America and other community organizations are assisting in the process of returning the bodies to India.
