An Indian-origin truck driver, Jashanpreet Singh, was permitted to wear his religious turban during a court appearance in California on Monday. The 21-year-old faces serious charges related to a multi-vehicle collision that resulted in three fatalities in October 2025.
Court Appearance and Delayed Hearing
The scheduled hearing for Singh faced a significant delay of three hours. This was because court officials had to wait for a Punjabi language translator, which the young defendant had formally requested for his case. Despite the delay, the court accommodated his religious practice by allowing him to wear his turban.
The next court date in this case has been set for January 16. Singh is currently facing three counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and a charge of reckless driving for his alleged role in the devastating incident.
The Fatal Accident and Evolving Charges
The tragic event occurred in October 2025 on the 10 Freeway in San Bernardino County. Police reports indicate that Singh's actions led to an eight-vehicle pile-up. Initially, authorities charged him with vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and driving under the influence (DUI).
However, those specific charges were later dropped. A toxicology report conducted immediately after the crash found no traces of alcohol or drugs in his blood system. Singh has entered a plea of not guilty to all the remaining charges against him. The exact cause of the accident remains under investigation, with the case now focusing on allegations of gross negligence.
Broader Context and Family's Defence
This case has emerged amidst growing scrutiny in the United States concerning some Indian-origin Sikh drivers. Reports suggest concerns about individuals entering the country illegally, obtaining commercial driver's licenses (CDL), and beginning work without a full grasp of local traffic regulations.
According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Jashanpreet Singh entered the United States illegally from India in 2022. Despite his immigration status, he reportedly secured a work permit valid until 2030 and a commercial driver's license.
The incident has caused distress in India, particularly for Singh's family. They have publicly denied the initial DUI allegations, stating that he is a baptized Sikh who abstains from drugs and alcohol. The subsequent toxicology report corroborated their claims, leading to the dismissal of the impaired driving charges.
The legal proceedings continue as the court seeks to determine the factors behind the fatal crash that claimed three lives.
