Illegal Indian Truck Driver Jashanpreet Singh Kills 3 in California Crash

California, October 24, 2025 – Jashanpreet Singh, a 21-year-old truck driver from Yuba City, California, originally from Punjab, India, is facing multiple charges after causing a deadly crash that killed three people and injured four others on a Southern California freeway. U.S. Homeland Security confirmed that Singh entered the country illegally in 2022 through the southern border.

The White House condemned California for issuing a commercial driver’s license (CDL) to Singh, describing it as part of a “disturbing pattern” of illegal immigrants obtaining commercial driving privileges. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated, “This individual entered the United States illegally in 2022 and now caused a tragic crash killing three people. California issued him a commercial driver’s license despite this.”

Details of the Crash

The fatal crash occurred on October 22, when Singh, allegedly under the influence of drugs, slammed his semi-truck into multiple vehicles on the freeway. Dashcam footage showed his truck hitting a small white SUV in the center lane, then colliding with other trucks and cars across lanes before crashing into a disabled truck on the freeway’s shoulder.

Singh faces three counts of vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and driving under the influence, in addition to causing injury to four others. He was arrested and jailed immediately following the crash and is scheduled for arraignment on Friday. The district attorney’s office noted that Singh does not yet have legal representation.

White House Response and CDL Crackdown

The incident has intensified the Trump administration’s push to restrict noncitizens from obtaining commercial driver’s licenses. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy emphasized that recent rules limiting CDLs for noncitizens were intended to prevent such tragedies. “These people deserve justice, and there will be consequences,” Duffy said, reiterating the administration’s ongoing crackdown on illegal immigrants being issued commercial licenses.

Leavitt highlighted that ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) has lodged a separate detainer for Singh. She added that this case is part of a “disturbing pattern” of criminal illegal aliens being granted CDLs in the United States. The White House has criticized California for not following federal guidelines for commercial licenses issued to noncitizens.

California’s Defense

California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office responded, stating that Singh had federal employment authorization, which legally allowed him to obtain a commercial driver’s license. They emphasized that the state complied with federal law in issuing the CDL.

Background on Singh

Singh is originally from Punjab, India, and moved to the U.S. illegally in 2022. He had obtained a commercial driver’s license in California, which allowed him to operate a semi-truck. Authorities allege that Singh was under the influence of drugs at the time of the crash, resulting in a multi-vehicle accident that killed three people and injured four more.

The White House and the Department of Transportation have intensified efforts to ensure that illegal immigrants do not obtain commercial driver’s licenses, citing multiple incidents of crashes caused by noncitizen drivers. This latest crash has reignited debates over federal and state responsibility in issuing CDLs to noncitizens.