California crash: Indian-origin trucker Jashanpreet Singh not under drug influence during fatal accident, say US officials
Toxicology results indicate no presence of alcohol or narcotics in jashanpreet Singh's system | Was arrested on October 21 on suspicion of driving under influence (DUI) after a deadly collision on a San Bernardino County freeway
PTC Web Desk: A major development has emerged in the California road accident case involving 21-year-old Indian-origin driver Jashanpreet Singh from Yuba City. US authorities have now clarified that Singh was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the accident that claimed three lives last month.
He was arrested on October 21 on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI) after a deadly collision on a San Bernardino County freeway. However, a recent toxicology report has revealed no traces of intoxicating substances in his blood. Despite this, officials confirmed that charges of vehicular manslaughter due to negligence remain under review.
In a statement, the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office said, “Toxicology results indicate no presence of alcohol or narcotics in Singh’s system. However, the case continues as one of vehicular manslaughter caused by reckless driving.”
What happened on the day of the crash
According to investigators, Jashanpreet Singh allegedly crashed his semi-truck into slow-moving traffic on the freeway in Southern California, leading to a chain collision. The crash resulted in the deaths of three persons and left several others injured. Video footage from the truck’s dashcam captured the moment of impact, which has since circulated widely on social media.
Among those injured were Jashanpreet Singh himself and a mechanic who was assisting a driver with a tire replacement at the time of the accident.
Reports indicate that Singh entered the United States illegally in 2022, crossing the southern border near El Centro, California. He was apprehended by US Border Patrol agents in March 2022 but later released under the Biden administration’s policy allowing certain migrants to remain in the country pending their immigration hearings.
Authorities continue to investigate the case to determine whether the crash was a result of negligence or mechanical failure.