Accusations of Fatal DUI Crash in California
A man from India who entered the United States illegally is now facing serious charges after a deadly accident in California. According to the Department of Homeland Security, Jashanpreet Singh, 21, is accused of causing the deaths of three people while driving a semi-truck under the influence. After his arrest, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) filed a detainer, which means that once local authorities complete his criminal case, he will be transferred to ICE custody for possible deportation.
Singh is charged with vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and driving under the influence. A video shared on social media shows Singh operating a large truck on Interstate 10 in San Bernardino County, California, where he crashed into slow-moving cars, resulting in a fatal accident. Police reports indicate that Singh did not attempt to slow down or stop before colliding with eight other vehicles.
Background and Reactions
According to the information provided by the Department of Homeland Security, Singh entered the United States illegally through the U.S.-Mexico border in 2022 and was living in Yuba City, California. He was allowed to stay in the U.S. while his immigration case was being processed.
CBS Sacramento interviewed Singh's close friend, Gurjot Malhar, who described Singh as a hardworking individual who moved to America hoping to build a better life for himself. Malhar shared that Singh often spoke happily and with care, expressing his desire to make money in the U.S. despite the challenges.
The White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, mentioned that the state of California issued Singh a commercial driver's license (CDL). A spokesperson for Governor Gavin Newsom referred to the incident as "tragic." The spokesperson also noted that the federal government needs to look inward before placing blame on others, stating that the federal government approved and renewed Singh's employment authorization multiple times, which allowed him to obtain a CDL in accordance with federal law.
Licensing and Government Response
According to the California Commercial Driver Handbook, anyone seeking to obtain, renew, upgrade, or transfer a commercial learner's permit (CLP) or a CDL must provide official proof of legal presence in the United States. While the federal government, under President Biden, granted Singh permission to work legally in the U.S., this did not automatically qualify him for a California CDL. The state of California has the authority to determine who qualifies for a CDL, and having a work permit does not guarantee this right.
DHS has reported several recent incidents involving individuals who entered the U.S. illegally and were driving commercial vehicles, leading to serious accidents or fatalities. In a similar case in Florida in August, Harjinder Singh, who crossed the border illegally in 2018, was issued a California CDL and accused of causing a deadly crash while attempting an illegal U-turn on a highway.
Leavitt stated that Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is taking action against the wrongful issuance of licenses to individuals who should not be allowed to drive commercial vehicles. Singh is expected to appear in a Rancho Cucamonga courtroom on Friday.
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