A scathing Department of Transportation report has pinned responsibility on Gov. Gavin Newsom for a tragic crash involving an undocumented truck driver, alleging the state flouted federal law by upgrading the driver’s commercial license despite new rules barring such actions, leading to a catastrophic incident that claimed three lives and injured several others.
The New York Post reported that the truck driver, Jashanpreet Singh, a 21-year-old Indian national, first received a restricted commercial driver’s license in California, limiting him to intrastate travel.
Fast forward to late September 2025, when a new federal regulation kicked in, mandating states to confirm an applicant’s legal status before issuing or upgrading commercial licenses. California was explicitly warned by the DOT about compliance failures and given a tight deadline to audit and revoke non-compliant licenses.
Yet, in a stunning display of disregard, the California DMV lifted Singh’s restrictions on his commercial license just weeks after the federal rule took effect. One has to wonder if bureaucracy took a coffee break when this decision was made.
Singh, who reportedly entered the U.S. via the southern border in 2022 and was released into the country, now had expanded driving privileges. This upgrade, according to federal officials, directly violated the emergency rule designed to keep unqualified drivers off the road.
Then came the heartbreaking consequence of this oversight. On a Tuesday morning in late October 2025, Singh, allegedly under the influence of drugs, barreled his semi-truck into slow-moving traffic on the 10 Freeway in San Bernardino County.
Dashcam footage captured the horrifying scene as Singh’s truck slammed into an SUV, triggering a fiery multi-vehicle pile-up. Three innocent lives were lost, and at least four others sustained injuries in the chaos.
The aftermath has been nothing short of devastating for the victims’ families. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy didn’t mince words, stating, “My prayers are with the families of the victims of this tragedy.”
But sympathy alone won’t bring justice, and Duffy quickly pointed the finger at California’s leadership. “It would have never happened if Gavin Newsom had followed our new rules. California broke the law and now three people are dead and two are hospitalized,” Duffy charged, adding a stern promise that “there will be consequences.”
Let’s unpack that for a moment. When federal officials issue emergency rules to protect the public, ignoring them isn’t just a clerical error—it’s a gamble with human lives, and this time, the stakes proved fatal.
The DOT report doubles down, asserting that California’s failure to enforce stricter standards was not just negligence but a systemic breakdown. Newsom’s office, tellingly, has remained silent when pressed for comment on this damning accusation.
Meanwhile, Singh faces serious charges, including vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and driving under the influence. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has also stepped in, issuing a detainer to ensure local authorities coordinate with federal agents before any potential release.
This incident isn’t just about one driver’s actions; it’s a glaring spotlight on policy decisions that prioritize progressive agendas over public safety. Federal rules exist for a reason, and when states like California thumb their nose at them, the results can be catastrophic, as we’ve tragically witnessed.
As the nation mourns the lives lost in this preventable disaster, the question remains: Will California face real accountability, or will this be another case of rules bent for the sake of ideology?
The families of the victims deserve answers, and the public deserves assurance that safety won’t be sacrificed on the altar of political posturing.
