Tragic Chain-Reaction Crash Claims Lives of Pomona High School Coach and Wife
A devastating chain-reaction crash on the 10 Freeway in Ontario earlier this week claimed the lives of three individuals, including a Pomona High School basketball coach and his wife. The incident involved multiple vehicles, including several semitrucks, and occurred on Tuesday afternoon. The school confirmed the deaths of Clarence Nelson, an assistant basketball coach for the Red Devils, and his wife, Lisa. A heartfelt message on the high school's Facebook page read, "RIP Coach Nelson and his wife."
The couple's passing has left the community in shock and mourning. Outside their home, flowers were delivered to a woman who was identified as related to Nelson, though she chose not to speak on camera. The identity of the third victim in the crash has not been disclosed, and four other individuals were hospitalized following the accident.
Arrest of Semitruck Driver
The driver of the semitruck involved in the crash, a 21-year-old man from Yuba City, was arrested on charges of driving under the influence of drugs and vehicular manslaughter. Officer Rodrigo Jimenez, a spokesperson for the California Highway Patrol, expressed the emotional toll of the tragedy, stating, "The hardest part is knowing that at least three of these individuals will not have a Christmas, will not make it home as we get into the holiday season."
On Thursday, the San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office filed charges against Jashanpreet Singh, the semitruck driver accused of causing the eight-vehicle chain-reaction crash. Singh faces three counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and one count of DUI causing injury. While the specific drug involved was not disclosed by authorities, eyewitness accounts and dashcam footage obtained by Eyewitness News show Singh traveling at a high speed into stopped traffic along the westbound 10 Freeway in Ontario, triggering the collision.
Legal and Immigration Implications
The Department of Homeland Security has issued an immigration arrest detainer on Singh, who is alleged to have entered the U.S. illegally from India in 2022. However, according to Department of Motor Vehicles records, Singh did possess a valid commercial driver's license to operate a semitruck.
Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli stated, "Our understanding is he had a valid commercial driver's license, and we are going to find out." The investigation aims to determine if Singh committed fraud to obtain the license or if there was any assistance from the DMV.
State and Federal Responses
Gov. Gavin Newsom's office has addressed claims that California allowed Singh to obtain a license, emphasizing that the state does not determine eligibility for commercial driver's licenses. Instead, the governor's press office noted, "The FEDERAL government approved and renewed this individual's FEDERAL employment authorization multiple times - which allowed him to obtain a commercial driver's license in accordance with FEDERAL law."
According to the California State Transportation Agency, Singh was issued a federal work authorization until 2030, and his commercial driver's license is a federal REAL ID, which he was "entitled to receive given the federal government's confirmation of his legal status."
Singh is scheduled to appear in court on Friday and is currently being held without bail. As the legal process unfolds, the community continues to grieve the loss of Coach Nelson and his wife, whose lives were tragically cut short in this heartbreaking incident.
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