Tragedy on California Highway Reveals Critical Gaps in Driver Licensing System
A devastating crash on a California freeway has claimed three lives and raised serious questions about how commercial driver’s licenses are issued to non-citizens. Dashcam footage captured the horrifying moment when a tractor-trailer operated by 21-year-old Jashanpreet Singh plowed through bumper-to-bumper traffic, creating a fiery collision that sent vehicles careening across multiple lanes. The truck can be seen rear-ending a row of cars before flames erupted from under the hood, with the massive vehicle then veering right and crashing into additional vehicles including utility trucks before finally coming to rest near the shoulder. The graphic footage paints a vivid picture of the chaos and destruction that unfolded in mere seconds, forever changing the lives of those involved and their families.
Singh, who immigrated from India, had received his California commercial driver’s license just months before the accident despite apparent red flags in the licensing system. According to federal Department of Transportation records, Singh had a restriction removed from his license on October 15 when he turned 21 – just six days before the fatal crash. This license update occurred even though federal officials had warned California in September about compliance issues with commercial licenses issued to non-citizens. The DOT had instructed California to pause issuing new licenses to non-citizens and to review existing ones to ensure they followed federal regulations, with instructions that non-compliant licenses should be revoked. Despite these directives, Singh’s license remained valid, raising questions about whether proper protocols were followed.
The aftermath of the crash has sparked a heated political exchange between federal and state officials. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy didn’t mince words, stating, “It would have never happened if Gavin Newsom had followed our new rules. California broke the law and now three people are dead and two are hospitalized. These people deserve justice. There will be consequences.” This direct accusation places the blame squarely on California’s government for failing to comply with federal directives. Duffy expressed his condolences to the victims’ families while emphasizing that the tragedy could have been prevented through proper adherence to federal regulations governing commercial driver’s licensing.
California officials have forcefully pushed back against these accusations, arguing that the federal government bears responsibility for approving and renewing Singh’s work authorization. A spokesperson for Governor Newsom’s office characterized the federal response as an attempt to “manipulate the facts to score cheap political points,” asserting that Singh’s ability to obtain a commercial driver’s license was in accordance with federal law based on employment authorizations granted by federal authorities. Similarly, the California Transportation Agency distanced itself from the decision-making process, stating that it is not the agency that determines eligibility for commercial driver’s licenses. This finger-pointing between state and federal authorities highlights the complex, multilayered governance issues surrounding immigration and transportation safety regulations.
Beyond the specific circumstances of this crash, federal authorities have pointed to a concerning pattern of similar incidents involving non-citizen commercial drivers. Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security Tricia McLaughlin described the accident as part of “a disturbing trend of illegal aliens driving 18 wheelers and semi-trucks on America’s roads,” referencing another recent fatal accident in Indiana caused by an undocumented immigrant driving a semi-truck. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has filed a detainer request for Singh, who remains in custody in San Bernardino County. Authorities have alleged that Singh was under the influence of drugs at the time of the crash, adding another troubling dimension to an already tragic situation that has left three people dead and others hospitalized.
The incident has become emblematic of broader debates about immigration policy and public safety in the United States. As families mourn their loved ones and survivors struggle to recover from their injuries, the case has become entangled in discussions about border security, licensing requirements, and the coordination between state and federal agencies. While officials debate responsibility, the human toll of this tragedy continues to unfold – grieving families seek answers, investigators piece together the sequence of events, and policy experts examine how to prevent similar incidents in the future. The crash serves as a stark reminder of how administrative decisions, policy disagreements, and regulatory oversights can have devastating real-world consequences for innocent people simply going about their daily lives.
