The tragic event in Johnson County, Texas, which resulted in the untimely death of Naveena Potabathula and five other family members, has left an indelible mark on the community. Potabathula, a 36-year-old woman from Alpharetta, Georgia, was among the victims of this awful accident.
Potabathula was part of a family visiting Texas when the incident occurred on U.S. Highway 67 near County Road 1119, west of Cleburne. This tragedy unfolded around 4 p.m., when a head-on collision between a minivan and a pickup truck took place. The minivan, carrying Potabathula and six other family members, collided with a 2014 Chevy Silverado as it entered a no-passing area in the northbound lane.
The Texas Department of Public Safety has provided information that the minivan was driven by 28-year-old Rushil Barri, heading north, while the pickup was travelling south. The resulting impact led to the tragic deaths of six members from the visiting family.
The victims included Potabathula, 64-year-old Nageswararao Ponnada, 60-year-old Sitamahalakshmi Ponnada, 10-year-old Krithik Potabathula, 9-year-old Nishidha Potabathula, and the driver, Rushil Barri. The only survivor from the minivan was 43-year-old Lokesh Potabathula, who is currently battling critical injuries in a hospital in Fort Worth. The pickup truck’s occupants, both 17-year-old boys, also survived the crash but sustained critical injuries.
The sudden and shocking nature of this incident has deeply affected the community, leaving them mourning the loss of these lives. The Telugu Association of North America has stepped in, taking the initiative to transport the victims’ remains to India, where some of the family members reside.
This heartrending accident serves as a stark reminder of life’s unpredictability. The community has come together in grief, providing support and solace to each other during this challenging time. The collective mourning for the lives lost too soon has fostered a sense of unity, demonstrating the resilience of the human spirit.
While the community grapples with the aftermath of this devastating event, the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident continues. The details of this incident serve as a painful testament to the tragic end of Naveena Potabathula’s life and the lives of her family members. As the inquiry continues to unfold, the community leans on each other for support, underlining the importance of empathy and solidarity during such difficult times.
