Six People killed in Tragic Texas Crash; Teenage Driver Goes into Oncoming Traffic

Six people tragically lost their lives on Tuesday in Texas after a pickup truck driven by a teenager veered into oncoming traffic and collided head-on with a minivan carrying seven occupants, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

The incident occurred in Johnson County, located south of Fort Worth, and resulted in three individuals, including the 17-year-old pickup truck driver, being hospitalized with critical injuries. The department released a statement on Wednesday providing details about the devastating crash.

Among the deceased are two children aged 10 and 9, adding to the heart-wrenching nature of the accident.

The collision took place at approximately 4 p.m. on U.S. Route 67, when a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado, occupied by a 17-year-old driver and passenger, entered the northbound lane in a “no passing” zone, violating traffic regulations.

As a result, the truck collided with a 2021 Honda Odyssey that was traveling in the opposite direction.

Tragically, the driver of the Honda Odyssey and five passengers succumbed to their injuries. The sole surviving passenger, a 43-year-old man, was critically injured, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

The 17-year-old driver and passenger of the pickup truck also sustained critical injuries.

Authorities are continuing their investigation into the incident as of Wednesday.

Aerial footage aired by NBC Dallas-Fort Worth revealed extensive damage to both vehicles, with the front ends of each completely destroyed.

The victims have been identified as Rushil Barri (28) from Irvine, Texas, who was driving the Honda Odyssey; Naveena Potabathula (36); Nageswararao Ponnada (64); Sitamahalakshmi Ponnada (60); as well as the children, Krithik Potabathula (10) and Nishidha Potabathula (9).

All the deceased individuals, except for Barri, hailed from Alpharetta, Georgia, according to NBC Dallas-Fort Worth.

Ayyappala Bandaru, Barri’s roommate, shared that Barri was accompanied by his cousin, cousin’s wife, two young children, and in-laws at the time of the crash. The family was returning from a visit to the Fossil Rim Wildlife Center when the tragedy occurred.