Daijiworld Media Network - California
California, Nov 4: An Indian-origin truck driver accused in a fatal crash that claimed three lives in Ontario, California last month, has been cleared of driving under the influence, though US authorities continue to treat the case as a grossly negligent homicide.
Jashanpreet Singh (21), a resident of Yuba City, was arrested on October 21 on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI) after his semi-truck rammed into multiple vehicles, killing three and seriously injuring several others.
According to an updated complaint filed last week, toxicology reports confirmed that Singh had no intoxicating substances in his blood at the time of testing. However, the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office maintained that the case remains one of grossly negligent homicide.
The revised complaint lists three counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and an additional charge of reckless driving on a highway causing specified injury.
Eyewitnesses and dashcam footage reportedly captured Singh’s vehicle travelling at high speed before slamming into stationary traffic.
“This was a heinous tragedy that took three lives and severely injured others. It was easily avoidable if the defendant was not driving in a grossly negligent manner,” said San Bernardino County District Attorney Jason Anderson. He added that Singh should never have been in California, blaming federal authorities for failing to enforce immigration laws.
Authorities have set no bail for Singh, citing the seriousness of the offence and his risk of flight. Reports indicate that Singh entered the United States illegally through the southern border in 2022 and was released pending an immigration hearing.
This marks the second such case involving an Indian-origin truck driver in recent months. On August 12, Harjinder Singh (28) allegedly made an illegal U-turn with his tractor-trailer in Florida, leading to a deadly crash that also killed three people.
In the aftermath, US Senator Marco Rubio announced a temporary halt on the issuance of commercial truck driver work visas, expressing concern that foreign truck operators were posing a growing danger on American roads and impacting domestic truckers’ livelihoods.