BREAKING: A 21-year-old truck driver, Jashanpreet Singh, is facing serious charges following a devastating crash on the 10 Freeway in Ontario, California, that resulted in the deaths of three individuals. The San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office has confirmed that Singh was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the incident, which occurred at approximately 1:10 PM on October 21, 2023.
Prosecutors have filed an amended complaint maintaining three counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence against Singh. In addition, he is now facing one count of reckless driving on a highway causing specified injury, while the DUI charge has been dropped. This critical update has emerged as the community grapples with the tragic loss of life.
The fatal crash involved Singh driving a Freightliner semitruck when he failed to stop for slowed traffic, triggering a catastrophic chain-reaction collision involving four commercial trucks and four other vehicles. Among the victims were Clarence Nelson, 76, and his wife, Lisa Nelson, 69, both from Fontana. A third victim has been identified as Jaime Flores Garcia, though further details about him remain unknown.
The emotional impact of this tragedy is profound, with Clarence Nelson being remembered as a former assistant basketball coach at Pomona High School, leaving behind a legacy of mentorship and guidance. Additionally, Singh’s actions have resulted in injuries to two other individuals, Juan Chavez Alvarez and Tamara Lynn Gay.
Singh entered the United States from India in 2022 and applied for asylum. Following the crash, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has issued a detainer, indicating that federal authorities must be notified 48 hours prior to Singh’s potential release from local custody.
As this case develops, the community is left in mourning, grappling with the loss of life and the implications of road safety. The DA’s office has pledged to pursue justice for the victims and their families.
Stay tuned for further updates on this urgent situation as authorities continue their investigation. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers on our roadways and the importance of safe driving practices.
