An illegal immigrant truck driver from India, Manvir Singh, was arrested Tuesday after allegedly causing a deadly multi-vehicle crash near Lodi, California, and attempting to flee the scene. The incident, which occurred around 12:20 p.m., resulted in the deaths of two people, according to federal officials. Singh, who reportedly entered the U.S. illegally through Arizona in 2023, was later released by the Biden administration, federal officials told Fox News.
Singh faces multiple charges, including vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, hit-and-run resulting in death or injury, and resisting or obstructing a police officer. The crash involved three other vehicles after Singh reportedly skidded off the road and struck a guardrail. He attempted to flee on foot before being apprehended by the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has lodged a detainer request, asking California authorities to hold Singh for transfer into federal custody. The arrest marks the fourth illegal immigrant truck driver with the last name 'Singh' accused in a fatal crash since last year, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Officials described this as a growing trend involving illegal immigrant commercial drivers from India.
DHS officials criticized policies allowing undocumented immigrants to obtain Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs), stating that many do not know English and that permitting them to operate 18-wheelers poses a public safety risk. Singh was reportedly driving with a valid New York CDL at the time of the crash.
The incident has sparked debate over immigration enforcement and commercial driving regulations. Some advocates argue for stricter vetting of truck drivers, while others emphasize the need for comprehensive immigration reform to address broader systemic issues.