UPDATE: A tragic crash on the I-10 Freeway in Ontario, California, has resulted in three fatalities and two injuries. Authorities confirm that Jashanpreet Singh, a 21-year-old semitruck driver, is facing serious charges, although he was not under the influence at the time of the incident.
The San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office announced on Friday that toxicology reports showed no substances in Singh’s blood during the crash, leading to an amended complaint that maintains three counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence. Additionally, he now faces a new charge of reckless driving on a highway causing specified injury.
The deadly collision occurred around 1:10 p.m. on October 21, 2023, when Singh, driving a Freightliner semitruck, failed to stop for slowed traffic near the 15 Freeway interchange. This negligence triggered a horrific chain-reaction crash involving four commercial big rigs and four other vehicles, claiming the lives of Clarence Nelson, 76, and his wife, Lisa Nelson, 69, both from Fontana. The third victim, identified as Jaime Flores Garcia, has not had his age or city of residence disclosed.
The emotional toll of this accident is profound. Clarence Nelson was a beloved former assistant basketball coach at Pomona High School, adding a layer of heartbreak to this tragic event. The community mourns the loss of these lives as investigations continue.
Injured were Juan Chavez Alvarez and Tamara Lynn Gay, who were also involved in the crash. Their recovery is currently being monitored as the investigation unfolds.
Notably, Singh, originally from India, entered the United States in 2022 and applied for asylum. The Department of Homeland Security has indicated that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has filed a detainer, meaning federal authorities will be notified at least 48 hours before he is released from local custody.
As this situation develops, communities are left questioning the safety of their highways and the accountability of drivers on the road. Authorities urge all drivers to remain vigilant and prioritize safety to prevent further tragedies.
Stay tuned for updates as more information becomes available regarding this tragic incident and its repercussions on the community.
