Truck Driver Accused of Deadly Crash Appears in Court

Fatal Freeway Crash Claims Three Lives

A devastating multi-vehicle collision on the Interstate 10 Freeway in Ontario, California on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, resulted in three deaths and left at least four people injured. The chain-reaction crash involved eight vehicles, including a Freightliner tractor-trailer driven by 21-year-old Jashanpreet Singh of Yuba City.

According to the California Highway Patrol's preliminary investigation, Singh was traveling at a high rate of speed when he failed to stop his semi-truck in time, slamming into stopped traffic at the I-10 and I-15 connector road. The devastating impact triggered a chain reaction that left multiple vehicles with extensive damage, some engulfed in flames.

Among the victims were a Pomona High School basketball coach and his wife, whose deaths have left the local community in mourning. Dashcam footage obtained by investigators shows the horrifying moment the semi-truck plowed into stationary vehicles, providing critical evidence in the criminal case.

Court Appearance and Criminal Charges Filed

On Friday, October 24, 2025, Singh made his first court appearance at the Rancho Cucamonga Courthouse. Dressed in jail attire and flanked by a Punjabi interpreter and a public defender, the 21-year-old driver pleaded not guilty to multiple serious felony charges.

The San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office filed the following charges against Singh:

• Three counts of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated
• One count of driving under the influence of drugs causing bodily injury
• Combined influence of alcohol and drugs charges

Judge ordered Singh to remain in custody without bail, citing the severity of the charges and the potential flight risk. His next court appearance has been scheduled for November 4, 2025, where a Punjabi interpreter will again be required for legal proceedings.

Immigration Status Controversy

The case has quickly become entangled in national debates over immigration policy and commercial driver licensing requirements. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has lodged an arrest detainer for Singh, with the Department of Homeland Security stating that he is in the United States illegally from India, having entered through the southern border in 2022.

However, California transportation officials maintain that Singh was legally authorized to work in the United States. According to the California State Transportation Agency, the federal government approved and renewed Singh's Employment Authorization Documents multiple times, which allowed him to obtain a federal REAL ID confirming his legal status.

Federal Investigation Into CDL Licensing

The U.S. Department of Transportation has released what it calls a "bombshell" report, accusing California of violating federal law by allowing Singh to continue driving when he should have been disqualified under new emergency rules.

In June 2025, California issued Singh a restricted, non-domiciled Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with a "K" restriction, limiting his driving to in-state operations only. On September 26, 2025, the federal government implemented stricter eligibility requirements for noncitizens seeking CDLs, preventing asylum-seekers from obtaining non-domiciled licenses.

When Singh turned 21 on October 15, 2025—just six days before the fatal crash—the California Department of Motor Vehicles allegedly removed the restriction and upgraded his license without applying the new federal standards. According to the DOT, Singh should have been required to return to the DMV to upgrade his CDL, at which point he would have been found ineligible under the emergency rule due to his asylum-seeker status.

Political Fallout and State-Federal Tensions

California Governor Gavin Newsom's office has pushed back forcefully against federal criticism, arguing that the state followed all applicable federal laws. In a statement released Thursday, the governor's office said:

"The federal government approved and renewed this individual's federal employment authorization multiple times - which allowed him to obtain a commercial driver's license in accordance with federal law. This is tragic, and as with every tragedy over the last ten months, Secretary Noem has ordered Secretary Duffy to look for every opportunity to manipulate the facts to score cheap political points."

The Department of Transportation maintains that Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy issued explicit warnings to California about deficiencies in its CDL program. Federal officials are now threatening to withhold nearly $40 million in funding for California if the state does not comply with the new regulations implemented in September.

Community Impact and Victims Remembered

The tragedy has devastated multiple families and sent shockwaves through the Ontario and Pomona communities. The victims include a beloved high school basketball coach and his wife, whose contributions to local youth athletics will be remembered by hundreds of students and families.

The I-10 and I-15 connector road was closed for several hours following the crash as authorities conducted their investigation and worked to clear the mangled wreckage. Aerial footage from news helicopters showed the extensive damage to vehicles involved, with several cars completely crushed and burned.

Four additional victims survived the crash but sustained injuries requiring medical treatment. The full extent of their injuries has not been publicly disclosed as the investigation continues.

Ongoing Investigation and Legal Proceedings

California Highway Patrol investigators are continuing to examine all evidence in the case, including dashcam footage from multiple vehicles, toxicology reports, and Singh's driving history. Prosecutors from the San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office will present their case as the legal proceedings move forward.

Eyewitness testimony and video evidence are expected to play crucial roles in the prosecution's case. Multiple witnesses reported seeing Singh's semi-truck traveling at excessive speed in the moments before impact, providing corroboration for charges of gross negligence.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Road Ahead: Questions About Highway Safety

This tragic case raises critical questions about commercial driver screening, the enforcement of drug and alcohol regulations in the trucking industry, and the coordination between state and federal authorities on licensing matters. As Singh's case proceeds through the criminal justice system, many will be watching closely to see how courts balance justice for victims with the complex legal and policy issues at play.

The incident also highlights ongoing concerns about highway safety on California's busy interstate system, where commercial trucks share the road with thousands of passenger vehicles daily. Safety advocates are calling for stricter enforcement of existing regulations and enhanced training requirements for commercial drivers.

For the families of the three victims, no legal outcome can restore what they have lost. As the community mourns and the justice system works through this case, the hope remains that lessons learned might prevent similar tragedies in the future.