Deadly Truck Accident By Intoxicated Illegal Fuels Immigration Debate

India-West News Desk

LOS ANGELES, CA – A speeding semi-truck plowed into congested traffic, triggering a massive fire that killed three people and injured several others, including the driver.

Authorities identified the driver as 21-year-old Jashanpreet Singh, an Indian national who entered the United States illegally in 2022. The crash occurred October 21 afternoon near the I-10 and I-15 interchange in Ontario.

Police said Singh, behind the wheel of a Freightliner big rig, failed to brake before slamming into an SUV and eight other vehicles, including four commercial trucks. The impact engulfed multiple rigs in flames and scattered debris across the interstate.

The California Highway Patrol confirmed three fatalities and said four victims, including Singh, were hospitalized. Dashcam footage from Singh’s truck captured the moment of impact and is being widely viewed online.

Toxicology reports later confirmed he was under the influence of drugs at the time.

San Bernardino County prosecutors have charged Singh with gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and other offences.

He is being held without bail and is scheduled to appear in Rancho Cucamonga Superior Court.

According to U.S. Border Patrol records, Singh crossed the southern border in March 2022 through California’s El Centro Sector and was released under the “alternatives to detention” policy, which allows certain migrants to await court hearings outside custody. The Department of Homeland Security has since confirmed that Singh remains in the country unlawfully. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has filed a detainer to take custody of him following criminal proceedings.

The crash has reignited criticism over lax enforcement of commercial licensing standards. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said California could lose $40 million in federal highway safety funds for failing to uphold federal English-language requirements for truck drivers.