In partnership with
A devastating semi-truck crash on California’s Interstate 10 has reignited national debate over immigration enforcement, commercial driver licensing, and public highway safety.
Authorities say 21-year-old Jashanpreet Singh, a truck driver in the United States illegally, was under the influence of drugs when his big rig barreled into stopped traffic on October 21, 2025.
The chain-reaction collision killed three people and injured several others. Prosecutors allege Singh’s truck was traveling at a high rate of speed before the impact, triggering a fiery pileup involving multiple vehicles.
Court Proceedings: Singh Pleads Not Guilty
On October 24, Singh appeared in a Rancho Cucamonga courtroom, where he pleaded not guilty to:
Three counts of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated
One count of driving under the influence of a drug causing injury
He remains held without bail and has been assigned a public defender. Court records indicate a Punjabi interpreter will assist him at his next hearing, scheduled for November 4, 2025.
Immigration Status and CDL Licensing Under Investigation
According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Singh entered the U.S. illegally from India in 2022. An ICE detainer has been filed requesting custody should he be released from jail.
Despite his undocumented status, Singh managed to obtain a California commercial driver’s license (CDL) as an asylum-seeker. Federal transportation officials say he was granted a restricted non-domiciled CDL on June 27, 2025—a license type designed for temporary residents.
When Singh turned 21 on October 15, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) upgraded his license and removed the restriction. However, this upgrade allegedly violated a new federal emergency rule issued September 26, 2025, which banned asylum-seekers and undocumented immigrants from obtaining or renewing non-domiciled CDLs.
Under this rule, Singh should have been ineligible to drive a commercial truck days before the fatal crash.
Regulatory Fallout and Political Tension
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has accused California regulators of failing to enforce federal CDL rules, allowing ineligible drivers to operate heavy commercial vehicles.
Federal officials argue that California ignored direct warnings that its licensing system was “dangerously broken.” The DOT has threatened to withhold federal highway funding if the state is found to be in violation of compliance standards.
California officials have pushed back, claiming the driver’s federal work authorization was active and verified, which permitted him to hold a CDL under federal law at the time of issuance.
Governor Gavin Newsom’s office called the crash “a tragedy being exploited for political gain,” accusing federal officials of using the case to “score points rather than fix problems.”
Broader Implications for Trucking Safety
This deadly crash highlights the growing tension between state driver licensing programs and federal immigration enforcement. It also raises urgent concerns within the trucking industry, which already faces driver shortages, compliance challenges, and safety scrutiny.
Experts warn that allowing unverified or improperly licensed drivers to operate 18-wheelers poses extreme danger to the public. Inadequate communication between state DMVs, DHS, and the DOT has created dangerous loopholes.
Key issues include:
Verification Failures: Weak coordination between immigration databases and state licensing systems.
Non-Domiciled CDL Oversight: Confusion about who qualifies under emergency rules.
Substance Use Concerns: Increasing drug-related violations among commercial truck drivers.
Training and Experience Gaps: Young drivers operating large rigs without sufficient experience.
Timeline of Events
June 27, 2025: Singh issued a restricted non-domiciled CDL in California.
September 26, 2025: DOT issues emergency rule tightening CDL eligibility for asylum-seekers.
October 15, 2025: Singh’s CDL restriction removed when he turns 21.
October 21, 2025: Fatal I-10 crash kills three people.
October 24, 2025: Singh pleads not guilty in court; remains held without bail.
The Road Ahead
Singh’s criminal trial is expected to unfold over several months as prosecutors reconstruct the crash and present toxicology evidence.
Meanwhile, the DOT and California DMV face mounting pressure to explain how an undocumented driver maintained an active CDL despite federal disqualification rules.
If found out of compliance, California could face federal penalties and be forced to overhaul its CDL verification systems.
The outcome could influence nationwide reforms in how states handle licensing for non-citizen or asylum-seeker drivers.
Final Reflection
The Ontario I-10 crash serves as a sobering reminder of how regulatory oversight failures can have deadly consequences.
Beyond the legal case, this tragedy exposes how disjointed systems — immigration checks, CDL verification, and driver screening — can combine to create a perfect storm on America’s highways.
For policymakers, regulators, and fleet operators, it’s a clear signal: safety, verification, and compliance cannot be optional.
Key Takeaways
Three dead, multiple injured in Ontario, California semi-truck crash.
Driver Jashanpreet Singh, 21, pleads not guilty to manslaughter and DUI charges.
Singh entered the U.S. illegally in 2022 and held a non-domiciled CDL issued by California.
Federal rule barred asylum-seekers from holding CDLs weeks before the crash.
DOT blames California for failing to enforce new licensing rules.
Immigration, safety, and licensing systems exposed major coordination flaws.
California faces investigation and possible federal funding penalties.
Industry urged to review driver eligibility, training, and drug-testing procedures.
A reminder: Highway safety begins with accountability — from every level of government.
Join over 4 million Americans who start their day with 1440 – your daily digest for unbiased, fact-centric news. From politics to sports, we cover it all by analyzing over 100 sources. Our concise, 5-minute read lands in your inbox each morning at no cost. Experience news without the noise; let 1440 help you make up your own mind. Sign up now and invite your friends and family to be part of the informed.