Punjabi truck driver who illegally entered US jailed for 2024 crash

On June 20, 2024, Singh was driving an 18-wheeler when he caused a multi-vehicle pileup in California. The collision left five-year-old Dalilah Coleman unable to walk, talk, or eat orally. She spent three weeks in a coma, underwent a craniectomy, and was hospitalised for six months. Reports by the California Highway Patrol cited Singh for speeding and ignoring traffic and construction warnings. Several others, including Dalilah’s stepfather, were also injured.

Dalilah’s father, Marcus Coleman, has spoken publicly about the devastating toll on his daughter’s life. Medical evaluations have diagnosed her with diplegic cerebral palsy and global developmental delays, conditions that will require lifelong therapy.

Singh was arrested by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in California in late August and remains in custody pending immigration proceedings and possible deportation.

The case has sparked political backlash, with DHS Secretary Kristi Noem blaming California’s licensing policies. “This tragedy was entirely preventable. This is sadly another example of Gavin Newsom’s California DMV issuing an illegal alien a Commercial Driver’s License. How many more innocent people must become victims before Gavin Newsom stops playing games with American lives?” Noem said in a statement.

The crash has also drawn fresh scrutiny to state and federal procedures that allowed Singh to work in the trucking industry despite his unresolved immigration status. Authorities are now reviewing gaps in enforcement and licensing to prevent similar incidents.

The ICE has confirmed that Singh will remain in detention pending immigration hearings, with the outcome likely to influence future enforcement and licensing standards.