An Indian-origin truck driver accused of causing a fatal crash that killed three people in California last month was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs, US authorities have confirmed. However, officials said the case remains one of grossly negligent homicide due to the driver’s reckless conduct behind the wheel.
According to the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office, toxicology reports confirmed no substances were present in the blood of 21-year-old Jashanpreet Singh of Yuba City. He was arrested under suspicion of ‘driving under the influence’ (DUI) and was charged with vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence as well as DUI causing injury in the multi-vehicle crash.
“However, the case remains a grossly negligent homicide,” the DA’s office said, adding that the updated complaint includes three counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and a new charge of reckless driving causing injury.
Eyewitnesses and dashcam footage reportedly showed Singh speeding into halted vehicles on the highway, resulting in a multi-vehicle crash that killed three and injured several others.
“This is a heinous tragedy that took three lives and severely injured others. Frankly, it was easily avoidable if the defendant was not driving in a grossly negligent manner. Had the rule of law been followed by State and Federal officials, the defendant should have never been in California at all,” District Attorney Jason Anderson said, according to PTI.
Singh, who remains in custody without bail, was described by authorities as an illegal immigrant who crossed the southern US border in 2022 and was released pending an immigration hearing, Fox News reported.
This marks the second such incident involving an Indian-origin truck driver in recent months. In August, Harjinder Singh, 28, was charged in Florida with vehicular homicide after allegedly making an illegal U-turn that caused a crash killing three people.
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