Indian Truck Driver Released at Border Charged in Fatal Washington Crash
In a tragic incident on State Route 167 in Washington, a semi-truck driver named Kamalpreet Singh has been charged with vehicular homicide after a fatal collision that claimed the life of 29-year-old Robert B. Pearson. What makes this case particularly notable is that Singh is reportedly an undocumented immigrant from India who had been apprehended by Border Patrol agents in Lukeville, Arizona, just months earlier in December 2023. According to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) source, rather than being detained, Singh was released into the United States—a detail that has drawn attention to current border policies under the Biden administration.
The accident occurred when Singh’s Freightliner truck crashed into the rear of Pearson’s blue 2010 Mazda 3 sedan, which was stopped behind a white 2016 Peterbilt truck in traffic. The impact was catastrophic, pushing Pearson’s vehicle under the Peterbilt’s rear section and causing the Mazda’s engine compartment to briefly catch fire. Though the flames were quickly extinguished, Pearson could not be saved. Washington State Patrol investigators have indicated that neither drugs nor alcohol played a role in the collision, though they continue to investigate the precise cause. Notably, both Singh and the Peterbilt driver escaped the incident without injuries.
Following the fatal crash, ICE has placed a detainer request with King County law enforcement, signaling their intention to take custody of Singh once local authorities complete their proceedings. This case highlights the ongoing discussions about immigration enforcement and the potential public safety implications of catch-and-release policies at the southern border. Singh’s situation represents one of many complex cases where immigration status becomes intertwined with criminal proceedings, raising questions about how different jurisdictions coordinate their responses to such situations.
The human cost of this incident cannot be overstated. Robert Pearson, at just 29 years old, lost his life in what appears to have been an avoidable tragedy. For Pearson’s family and loved ones, the circumstances surrounding the driver’s immigration status likely add another painful dimension to their grief. They are left not only mourning their personal loss but potentially questioning whether different immigration enforcement policies might have prevented this outcome altogether. Meanwhile, Singh now faces serious criminal charges that could result in substantial prison time if he is convicted of vehicular homicide.
It’s worth noting that the reporting specifically mentions that Singh is not believed to be related to two other truck drivers with the same last name—Jashanpreet Singh in California and Harjinder Singh in Florida—who have also been involved in separate fatal crashes and are reportedly in the country without documentation. This clarification suggests a concern about potential conflation of these distinct cases, while also highlighting what some might see as a troubling pattern involving commercial truck drivers with irregular immigration status being involved in fatal accidents across different states.
The intersection of commercial driving regulations, immigration enforcement, and public safety has become increasingly complex in recent years. Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) requirements are meant to ensure that all truck drivers—regardless of their immigration status—possess the necessary skills and knowledge to operate large vehicles safely. However, this case raises questions about the verification processes for commercial drivers and whether existing systems adequately screen applicants. As investigations continue into both the crash itself and the circumstances that allowed Singh to obtain driving privileges, the case may influence ongoing policy debates about border security, immigration enforcement priorities, and the monitoring of commercial drivers.
