Authorities have identified Jashanpreet Singh, a 21-year-old from Yuba City, as the driver arrested following a deadly crash on the 10 Freeway in Ontario on Tuesday. Singh faces charges of felony DUI and gross vehicular manslaughter after the eight-vehicle collision that resulted in three fatalities and several injuries.
Officials with the Department of Homeland Security say Singh is an Indian national who entered the U.S. illegally via Mexico in 2022.
The crash occurred around 1:10 p.m. on the westbound 10 Freeway near the 15 Freeway interchange. According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), Singh was driving a Freightliner tractor-trailer when he failed to brake as traffic slowed. The truck collided with an SUV, setting off a chain reaction involving four semi-trucks, two pickup trucks, and two cars. A dashcam video from Singh’s truck, obtained by ABC7, captured the moment of impact and showed the subsequent fiery wreckage.
Among the deceased were former Pomona High School assistant basketball coach Clarence Nelson and his wife, Lisa. The identities of the third victim and the injured have not been fully released. The crash scene was described as chaotic, with vehicle parts scattered and a hazardous materials incident declared due to the fire.
Witness Jason Calmelat, who was nearby, described the crash as sounding like a “big explosion” and said Singh’s truck “didn’t stop” or “swerve,” instead plowing straight into the vehicles ahead. After the crash, Singh and others were taken to the hospital. Singh has since been released and is being held without bail, awaiting his first court appearance on Thursday.
The incident has sparked political discourse, with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy commenting on social media about the importance of road safety regulations. The CHP is continuing its investigation, including inspecting Singh’s truck for mechanical issues, although initial findings suggest no other vehicles cut off the truck before the crash.
The tragic event serves as a somber reminder of the dangers of impaired driving. Officer Rodrigo Jimenez of the CHP expressed the emotional toll such incidents take on families, especially as the holiday season approaches. “This is sadly a reminder of how precious life is,” Jimenez said. “The hardest part is knowing that at least three of these individuals will not have a Christmas.”
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