SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — Jashanpreet Singh, a 21-year-old Indian national accused of causing a deadly multi-vehicle crash on a California freeway, made his latest court appearance on Monday wearing a traditional Sikh turban, fulfilling a religious request that had previously gone unmet. The hearing in San Bernardino County Superior Court was delayed by three hours while authorities arranged for a Punjabi translator, but once underway, it proceeded quickly with Singh entering a not guilty plea to charges of vehicular manslaughter and reckless driving.
Singh, who authorities say entered the United States illegally through the southern border in 2022, faces three counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence stemming from the October collision on the westbound Interstate 10 freeway. The pile-up involved eight vehicles, including Singh's big rig, and resulted in the deaths of three people: an elderly couple and a resident of Upland, California. Two others were hospitalized with serious injuries, according to court documents and crash reports.
The crash, captured on harrowing video footage, showed Singh's semi-truck slamming into the rear of an SUV, propelling both vehicles into a chain reaction that ignited flames engulfing several cars, including another semi-truck. No alcohol or drugs were detected in Singh's system immediately after the incident, leading prosecutors to drop initial charges of vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and driving under the influence. If convicted on the current charges, Singh could face up to 10 years in prison, a reduction from the potential 17 years under the original accusations.
During the brief hearing, Singh, dressed in standard orange jail scrubs and his dark blue turban, did not address the judge directly. His attorney requested a continuance, which was granted, setting the next court date for January 16. Singh had sought permission to wear the turban, a key element of Sikh religious practice, in prior appearances but was denied until this time. He was allowed to wear it for his arrest mugshot, however.
The case has drawn national attention not just for its tragic toll but for allegations that state officials under Governor Gavin Newsom improperly handled Singh's commercial driver's license. According to a report from the U.S. Department of Transportation, a federal law enacted just weeks before the crash prohibited undocumented immigrants from obtaining or holding commercial driver's licenses. The DOT claims that California authorities upgraded Singh's restricted license to a full commercial driver's license on the very day he turned 21, coinciding with the new law's effective date.
"It would have never happened if Gavin Newsom had followed our new rules," Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in a statement. "California broke the law and now three people are dead and two are hospitalized. These people deserve justice. There will be consequences." Duffy's comments highlight federal frustrations with California's immigration policies, which have often diverged from national standards.
Homeland Security officials have pointed to Singh's case as part of a broader pattern. "This accident follows a disturbing trend of illegal aliens driving 18-wheelers and semi-trucks on America’s roads," said Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary for Homeland Security. The agency believes Singh crossed into the U.S. from Mexico in 2022 without authorization, a detail that has fueled debates over border security and trucking regulations.
California officials have not publicly responded to the DOT's allegations, but the state's Department of Motor Vehicles has historically issued licenses to undocumented residents under AB 60, a 2013 law allowing driver's licenses for those without legal status. However, commercial licenses for heavy vehicles like semi-trucks fall under stricter federal oversight, and the recent law aimed to close what critics called loopholes exploited by states like California.
Singh's background adds layers to the story. Born in India, he reportedly migrated to the U.S. seeking work and obtained his initial restricted commercial license before the federal changes. The upgrade, per the DOT, occurred amid a rush of applications as the law loomed, raising questions about compliance timelines and enforcement.
This incident echoes another high-profile case involving an undocumented Indian truck driver. Over the summer, Harjinder Singh, also from India, was accused of causing a fatal crash in Florida by making an illegal U-turn with an 18-wheeler through a restricted zone. That accident killed three people, and Harjinder Singh was operating under a California-issued commercial driver's license at the time. He faces multiple homicide and immigration violation charges, further spotlighting interstate licensing issues.
Family members of the victims have expressed grief and calls for accountability. The elderly couple killed in the crash were identified as longtime San Bernardino residents, while the Upland victim was a 45-year-old father of two, according to local reports. "We just want to know how this could have been prevented," said a spokesperson for the victims' families, though specific names were withheld pending ongoing investigations.
Trucking industry experts note that the Interstate 10 corridor, a vital artery for goods moving from ports to inland areas, sees heavy traffic and occasional backups that can contribute to such accidents. The California Highway Patrol's initial investigation cited reckless driving as a factor, with Singh allegedly failing to slow down in time for stopped traffic. Weather conditions were clear, and no mechanical issues with the truck have been reported.
As the case progresses, it intersects with larger national conversations on immigration, road safety, and state-federal tensions. Advocacy groups for immigrant rights argue that blanket restrictions on licenses endanger communities by keeping qualified drivers off the roads, while safety advocates push for uniform standards to protect all motorists. Singh remains in custody without bail, and his defense team has indicated plans to challenge the license upgrade narrative.
The January 16 hearing will likely delve deeper into discovery, including forensic analysis of the crash and reviews of Singh's licensing records. Meanwhile, federal agencies continue to monitor similar cases, with the DOT vowing stricter audits of state programs. For the victims' loved ones, the path to closure remains long, marked by a courtroom where cultural accommodations meet the weight of profound loss.
In the aftermath, communities along the 10 Freeway have rallied with memorials and fundraisers for the affected families. The crash site, now cleared, serves as a stark reminder of the human cost behind America's vast transportation network. As investigations unfold, the story of Jashanpreet Singh underscores the complex interplay of policy, migration, and everyday risks on the nation's highways.