Driver of semi involved in fatal Hendricks County crash only had months of experience

HENDRICKS COUNTY, Ind. — The truck driver who was allegedly responsible for a fatal crash in Hendricks County in February only had a couple of months of experience. According to court documents, Sukhdeep Singh told law enforcement he had only been driving trucks for about two or three months before he reportedly smashed into a white pickup truck, claiming the life of 64-year-old Terry Schultz. Hendricks County Sheriff's deputies were dispatched to the intersection of U.S. Highway 36 and County Road 525 East around noon on Feb. 18 to investigate a crash. According to a news release from HCSO, a Freightliner semi with a trailer was reportedly traveling eastbound on U.S. Highway 36 when its driver allegedly ran a red light. The truck struck a Chevrolet pickup that was being driven northbound. The pickup truck then hit a Chrysler Sebring that was sitting at the intersection. Singh told investigators that he was driving around 50 MPH as he approached the intersection. That's when he noticed the traffic light turned red about 100 feet before he reached it. He said he attempted to slow down, but due to the weight of his truck and trailer, he was unable to make a stop. He told officers that, as he began to cross the intersection, he observed the pickup truck traveling northbound through the intersection as well. Court records indicate Singh honked his horn to warn the other vehicle that he was unable to stop before slamming into the pickup truck. Singh was initially taken into custody by Indiana State Police. He was subsequently transported to the Marion County Jail to be held for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Previous reporting shows that Singh is suspected of being in the country illegally since 2018. He was previously apprehended and released at the border during President Donald Trump's first administration. Singh was driving for Big Rock Transportation and was on his way back from picking up a load of bird seed. Court documents indicate the bird seed had not been stacked properly, causing it to slide towards the front of the trailer, which could have limited Singh's ability to stop the truck. After reviewing the video of the crash and speaking with multiple witnesses, investigators concluded that Singh was at fault for the crash. Court documents also show that, after he realized he couldn't stop, Singh accelerated the throttle to 100% as he entered the intersection. Singh has been charged with reckless homicide — a Level 5 Felony — and reckless driving, a Class C Misdemeanor.