Indian-Origin Truck Driver Charged with Negligent Homicide After Fatal Crash in California

Jashanpreet Singh, an Indian-origin truck driver, faces negligent homicide charges following a multi-vehicle crash in California that resulted in three fatalities. Despite being sober, authorities cite gross negligence due to high-speed driving into stopped traffic.

An Indian-origin driver involved in a fatal crash in California last month was not intoxicated, according to US authorities. Jashanpreet Singh, 21, from Yuba City, was initially suspected of driving under the influence. He was charged with vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and DUI causing injury after the multi-vehicle accident.

Despite toxicology reports showing no substances in Singh's blood, the case is still considered grossly negligent homicide. The San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office stated that the charges include three counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and reckless driving on a highway causing injury.

Fatal Crash Details and Charges

The crash in Ontario, California, resulted in three deaths and several serious injuries. Eyewitness accounts and dashcam footage revealed Singh was speeding into stopped traffic. "This is a heinous tragedy that took three lives and severely injured others," said San Bernardino County District Attorney Jason Anderson. He added that the incident could have been avoided if Singh had not driven negligently.

No bail has been set for Singh due to the severity of the crime and his potential flight risk. Authorities plan to continue requesting no bail. Singh entered the US illegally in 2022 via the southern border and was released pending an immigration hearing, according to a Fox News report.

Previous Incidents Involving Indian-Origin Drivers

This incident marks the second time since August that an Indian-origin truck driver has been accused of causing a fatal crash in the US. On August 12, Harjinder Singh, 28, allegedly made an illegal U-turn in Florida with his tractor-trailer, resulting in a crash that killed three people. He faces three counts of vehicular homicide.

Following these incidents, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a halt to issuing commercial truck driver work visas. "The increasing number of foreign drivers operating large tractor-trailer trucks on US roads is endangering American lives and undercutting the livelihoods of American truckers," Rubio stated on social media.

The tragic events highlight ongoing concerns about road safety and immigration policies related to commercial drivers in the US. The cases involving Jashanpreet Singh and Harjinder Singh have intensified discussions around these issues.

With inputs from PTI