The driver of a tractor-trailer accused of being under the influence and causing a chain-reaction crash that killed three people in Ontario, California, is not a legal resident of the United States, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed on Thursday.
Jashanpreet Singh, 21, of Yuba City, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs and vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated.
Dramatic dashcam video showing the big rig plowing into stopped vehicles on the westbound 10 Freeway shortly after 1 p.m. on Wednesday is the center of the California Highway Patrol’s investigation.
“The westbound traffic came to either a slow or a stop, and the Freightliner commercial vehicle did not stop, which caused a chain reaction crash,” CHP spokesperson Rodrigo Jimenez said. Eight vehicles, including three other big rigs were involved in the collision, which forced the closure of westbound lanes of the busy interstate for several hours.
The DHS said on Thursday that Singh is a “criminal alien” from India. Singh first entered the U.S. in 2022 through the southern border and was “released” under President Joe Biden’s administration.
“It is a terrible tragedy three innocent people lost their lives due to the reckless open border policies that allowed an illegal alien to be released into the U.S. and drive an 18-wheeler on America’s highways,” said Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “This accident follows a disturbing trend of illegal aliens driving 18 wheelers and semi-trucks on America’s roads.”
Another fatal accident that occurred in Indiana last week was also caused by a semi-truck driver who was in the country illegally, according to the DHS.
Two of the three people killed in Wednesday’s crash were identified as Clarence Nelson and his wife, Lisa. Clarence Nelson was a former assistant basketball coach at Pomona High who had most recently coached at Rancho Cucamonga High. Pomona High posted a tribute Nelson on its Facebook page.
“This is a tragic crash because it was very preventable,” Jiminez said. “If somebody had just paid attention, if everyone was driving sober, this tragedy would not have occurred.”
The CHP also indicated that four other people injured in the crash sustained injuries ranging from minor to major and were transported to local hospitals.
Singh was scheduled to appear in court on Thursday. He is being held without bail.
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