In a devastating accident on U.S. 67, approximately 50 miles southwest of Fort Worth, six members of the same family tragically lost their lives when a 17-year-old pickup truck driver collided head-on with their minivan. The incident occurred on Tuesday evening while the family was returning from a post-Christmas outing to a wildlife safari park. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) released preliminary details of the accident, indicating that the teenage driver had veered into the wrong lane of the two-lane highway, resulting in the deadly collision.

According to the DPS, the area where the crash occurred was marked as a "no passing" zone. The agency's investigation revealed that the Silverado pickup was traveling south when it abruptly swerved into the northbound lane, directly impacting the family's minivan. Tragically, only two of the six family members who lost their lives were wearing seatbelts at the time of the collision.

The victims have been identified as 28-year-old Rushil Barri, 9-year-old Nishidha Potabathula, 10-year-old Krithik Potabathula, 36-year-old Naveena Potabathula, 60-year-old Sitamahalakshmi Ponnada, and 64-year-old Nageswararao Ponnada. Alongside the deceased, Lokesh Potabathula, aged 43, managed to survive the crash but sustained critical injuries. Potabathula, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was promptly transported to a nearby hospital for urgent medical attention.

The driver of the pickup truck, a 17-year-old, and his teenage passenger were also critically injured in the collision. Both individuals were subsequently transported to a hospital for treatment. The DPS continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collision and any potential contributing factors, including the possibility of negligence or impaired driving.

Rushil Barri's brother, Rakesh Barri, conveyed his heartbreak to ABC affiliate station WFAA, revealing that the family had enjoyed a day at the Fossil Rim Wildlife Safari Park in Glenn Rose, Texas, before embarking on their journey back to Irving, Texas. Rakesh Barri shared that Lokesh Potabathula, who had visited from Georgia with his wife and two children, aged 9 and 10, were among those who tragically lost their lives in the accident. Additionally, Sitamahalakshmi and Nageswararao Ponnada, Potabathula's in-laws visiting from India, also perished in the collision.

As the community mourns the loss of these innocent lives, authorities are urging all drivers to adhere to traffic regulations, especially in designated no-passing zones, in order to prevent such devastating accidents. The investigation into this tragic incident remains ongoing, and the results may help shed light on how similar incidents can be prevented in the future.