Migrant truck driver pleads not guilty in fatal California collision

A man who is believed to be in the U.S. unlawfully and accused of causing a fatal pile-up in California by driving a truck has entered a plea of not guilty to multiple charges. The 21-year-old man named Jashanpreet Singh, from Yuba City, California, was taken into custody for charges including driving under the influence of drugs and vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated. The incident was captured on a dashcam video showing the truck crashing into stationary vehicles on the westbound Interstate 10 on Wednesday. This led to a sequence of collisions involving eight vehicles, causing the closure of the westbound lanes for several hours. Singh, identified as a "criminal alien" from India by the DHS, entered the U.S. in 2022 and was reportedly allowed to stay under the current administration. Following this incident, concerns have been raised regarding who should be eligible to receive commercial driver's licenses, with transportation officials emphasizing their worries. The collision resulted in the deaths of three individuals, including Clarence Nelson and his wife Lisa. Nelson, a former assistant basketball coach at Pomona High, was remembered by the school in a tribute on social media. The California Highway Patrol also mentioned that four other individuals injured in the crash were taken to local hospitals for treatment. Singh made a court appearance on Friday where he maintained a low profile and appeared unemotional. His next court date is scheduled for November 4th.