Truck Driver Charged in Fatal Crash on I-10

A truck driver faces charges following a tragic eight-vehicle collision on Interstate 10 in Ontario, California.

Identified as Jashanpreet Singh, a 21-year-old from India, he entered the U.S. illegally via the southern border. Border Patrol encountered him in March 2022 in the El Centro area, but he was released under the previous administration’s “alternatives to detention” program while awaiting an immigration hearing.

The crash, which resulted in at least three fatalities, was captured on dashcam footage on a recent Tuesday.

Singer’s truck crashed into halted traffic, triggering a pileup that involved four commercial trucks and several cars. Footage showed one vehicle ablaze.

Three adults lost their lives in the incident, and four others required hospitalization, as reported by CBS News.

California Highway Patrol (CHP) apprehended Singh at the scene, suspecting him of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated — a felony that could impose a 10-year prison sentence and a substantial fine.

Authorities revealed that Singh didn’t apply his brakes before colliding with other vehicles. Toxicology reports indicated he was impaired at the time.

Sources from the Department of Homeland Security confirmed that Singh lacks lawful immigration status, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has placed a detainer on him.

CHP is currently investigating whether Singh possessed a valid commercial driver’s license during the accident.

A friend of Singh’s, Gurjot Malhar, shared with CBS Sacramento that the news initially seemed unbelievable.

“He’s an amazing guy,” Malhar stated. “He always spoke with humor and kindness. Coming from India, it’s tough making a living here… He aimed to be a truck driver, which was a big step for him.”

Singh remains in custody without bail and is set to appear in court on Thursday, October 23rd, at Rancho Superior Court in Rancho Cucamonga.