Driver Jashanpreet Singh was charged with vehicular manslaughter and DUI after a deadly 10 Freeway pile-up that killed three.
Authorities have identified and charged the semi-truck driver suspected of causing a devastating eight-vehicle pile-up on the westbound Interstate 10 Freeway in Ontario, California, on Tuesday afternoon. The collision, which involved four big rigs and four passenger cars, tragically resulted in three fatalities and injuries to four others.
The driver, identified as Jashanpreet Singh, 21, of Yuba City, was arrested at the scene by California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs.
Key Developments and Charges
The violent chain-reaction crash occurred around 1:10 p.m. as traffic was reportedly slowing ahead. Dashcam footage of the incident, which has circulated widely, shows the Freightliner tractor-trailer, allegedly driven by Singh, failing to brake before slamming into the vehicles ahead.
- Arrest and Charges: Singh was booked into the West Valley Detention Center on felony charges of Gross Vehicular Manslaughter While Intoxicated and Driving Under the Influence of Drugs Causing Bodily Injury.
- Court Status: Singh, who was initially among the injured, was released from the hospital and is being held without bail pending his initial court hearing, scheduled for Thursday.
- Victims: Three people were pronounced dead at the scene. One victim has been identified as a 54-year-old man from Upland, while the other two were severely burned. Their identities have not yet been released.
Immigration Status Adds to Controversy
The investigation has been complicated by revelations concerning Singh’s immigration status. Officials from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have reportedly confirmed that Singh is an Indian national who entered the U.S. illegally in 2022.
The DHS is placing a detainer request on Singh with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. This development follows a similar fatal crash in Florida and is fueling a growing national debate over the enforcement of commercial driver’s license (CDL) standards for non-citizens.
Authorities are also investigating whether Singh possessed a valid CDL at the time of the collision.
