Indian-origin truck driver faces homicide charges for deadly California crash
New York: An Indian-origin truck driver, Jashanpreet Singh, who caused a fatal multi-vehicle crash in California last month killing three people, has been charged with grossly negligent homicide despite toxicology reports confirming he was sober at the time of the incident.
According to Kashmir Media Service, US officials said Singh, 21, from Yuba City, was arrested on October 21 under suspicion of driving under the influence and was initially charged with vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and DUI causing injury. However, a revised complaint filed last week confirmed that no intoxicating substances were found in his blood, while retaining the charges of gross negligence and adding a count of reckless driving causing injury.
Eyewitness accounts and dashcam footage revealed that Singh’s semi-truck was travelling at high speed before ramming into stationary vehicles on a California highway, killing three people and injuring several others. Authorities described the tragedy as “easily avoidable” had Singh not driven in a grossly negligent manner.
The San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office said no bail has been granted, citing the seriousness of the offence and Singh’s flight risk. Reports indicate that Singh, an illegal immigrant, had crossed the US southern border in 2022 and was released pending an immigration hearing.
This marks the second fatal road accident involving an Indian-origin truck driver in the US since August. Earlier, another driver, Harjinder Singh, 28, was charged with vehicular homicide after a U-turn collision in Florida that killed three people. The incidents have triggered fresh debate in the US over the employment of foreign commercial drivers, with authorities reviewing visa and licensing policies.
