Unauthorized Immigrant Involved in Fatal Highway Incident
A young man, identified as 21-year-old Jashanpreet Singh, is now in custody following a catastrophic accident on a highway in Southern California. Shockingly, it has been revealed that Singh is an undocumented immigrant from India.
Details of the Incident
Authorities have confirmed that Singh was taken into custody on charges of driving under the influence, which led to a fatal multi-vehicle collision on a major freeway in Ontario. The accident involved eight vehicles, including four commercial ones. The tragic incident led to the death of three individuals, and four others were left injured and are currently being treated in hospitals. All the victims were adults, as confirmed by the emergency service crews at the scene.
Status of the Accused
Records from the county jail in San Bernardino reveal that Singh is currently held at the West Valley Detention Center, with no bail granted. His charges include driving under the influence, causing physical harm, and gross manslaughter while under the influence of substances. His court appearance is anticipated soon at Rancho Superior Court in Rancho Cucamonga.
The Driver's Journey to the U.S.
A close friend of Singh's, Gurjot Malhar, spoke about Singh's motivation to move to the U.S., stating that he was seeking improved life conditions. Malhar described Singh as a pleasant person who was always caring and positive. He added that Singh understood the challenges of earning a living in the U.S., but was determined to succeed.
At this point, it’s not clear whether Singh has legal representation. It is also being investigated whether he had a valid commercial driver's license at the time of the accident.
Recent Changes in U.S. Policy
Notably, the U.S. government halted issuing worker visas for commercial truck drivers a few months ago. A spokesperson clarified that this decision was made to review and improve the screening and vetting processes applied to visa applicants. This step was deemed necessary to ensure the safety of American roads and to protect American truckers' livelihoods while maintaining a secure supply chain.
Previous Incidents and Legal Action
Just last week, Florida filed a lawsuit against California and Washington over a fatal accident that occurred earlier this year. That accident involved a semi-truck driver attempting an illegal U-turn on the Florida Turnpike in St. Lucie County, resulting in three fatalities. The driver, Harjinder Singh, was also an unauthorized immigrant who had obtained a commercial driver's license from California.
The lawsuit accuses both California and Washington of failing to adhere to federal safety and immigration-status regulations when issuing commercial driver's licenses. The suit alleges that these states have allowed unauthorized immigrants, without adequate training or the ability to read road signs, to operate commercial vehicles.