A semi-truck driver, 21-year-old Jashanpreet Singh, was arrested for driving under the influence following a catastrophic crash on the 10 Freeway in Ontario, California, on Tuesday. This incident has drawn attention not only for its tragic outcomes but also for the driver's immigration status. Officials from the Department of Homeland Security report that Singh is in the United States illegally, having crossed the U.S.-Mexico border in 2022 as an Indian national.
The collision involved eight vehicles, including four commercial trucks, resulting in the deaths of three adults and leaving four others hospitalized in critical condition. The Ontario Fire Department has confirmed that all victims were adults, highlighting the severity of the situation. Singh was taken into custody by the California Highway Patrol officers shortly after the incident.
As of Wednesday night, Singh remains detained at the West Valley Detention Center in San Bernardino, with no bail set. He faces serious charges, including driving under the influence of drugs causing bodily injury and gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated. Singh is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday at the Rancho Superior Court in Rancho Cucamonga, where further legal proceedings will take place.
Singh's best friend, Gurjot Malhar, spoke to CBS Sacramento, describing Singh as a kind and caring individual who came to the U.S. in search of a better life. Malhar expressed his belief that Singh, despite his challenges, had good intentions. "He's an amazing guy. He would talk normally, happily, always with love and care," Malhar stated. However, the harsh reality of trying to earn a living in a foreign country has added to Singh's struggles.
The California Highway Patrol is currently investigating whether Singh possessed a valid commercial driver's license at the time of the crash. This inquiry comes in light of recent changes in U.S. immigration policy; in August, the government halted the issuance of worker visas for commercial truck drivers. A spokesperson from the State Department indicated that this pause aims to perform a comprehensive review of the screening and vetting protocols for U.S. visas.
The issue of foreign truck drivers operating without proper documentation has raised significant concerns regarding road safety and compliance with immigration laws. The State Department has stated, "As we have seen with recent deadly accidents, foreign truckers can pose risks to American lives, U.S. national security, and foreign policy interests." This statement underscores the importance of ensuring that every driver on American roads meets the highest standards to protect the livelihoods of American truckers and maintain a secure supply chain.
In a related context, California and Washington are currently facing a lawsuit from Florida over a tragic crash that also involved an illegally operating driver. This incident, which occurred in August, resulted in three fatalities when a semi-truck driver attempted an illegal U-turn on the Florida Turnpike. U.S. Marshals revealed that the driver, Harjinder Singh, had also entered the U.S. illegally and obtained a commercial driver's license from California. The lawsuit highlights failures by both states to adhere to federal safety and immigration status requirements in issuing commercial driver's licenses.
These developments emphasize the critical need for stringent regulations surrounding commercial driving licenses and the impact of immigration status on public safety.
