
Possible paraphrase: "Concerns rise over potential backlash against Sikh truckers after California accident"
An individual of Indian descent, Jashanpreet Singh, was taken into custody following a collision involving his truck on California's 10 Freeway in Ontario on October 21, resulting in three fatalities and four injuries. As indicated by the results of toxicology testing, the 21-year-old driver, of Punjabi Sikh heritage, was believed to be under the influence of a prohibited substance at the time of the accident. Video footage from the dashboard camera exposed that Jashanpreet's commercial truck collided with slow-moving traffic in San Bernardino County, clearly showing that he neglected to brake and lost control of the vehicle. The US Department of Homeland Security disclosed that Jashanpreet is an undocumented immigrant who was apprehended and let go at the California border by the administration of Joe Biden in March 2022. This incident has reignited discussions regarding national immigration policies and regulations in the trucking industry. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy emphasized the importance of adhering to English language prerequisites established under the previous administration, warning that states failing to comply risk facing consequences. Duffy's statements came after a declaration from the Trump administration to withhold $40 million in federal funding for highway safety from California due to its failure to meet English proficiency standards for truck operators. A recent traffic accident in Florida involving truck driver Harjinder Singh, also of Indian, Punjabi, and Sikh background, causing fatalities, had raised concerns among members of the Sikh community in California. The collision led to an upsurge in discriminatory remarks against Sikh individuals desiring lucrative trucking positions allowing them to maintain religious practices such as wearing beards, uncut hair, and turbans. Several individuals from the Sikh community in California expressed worries for their future in the US due to the negative reactions following the accidents. Harsimran Singh, CEO of Gillson Trucking in Stockton, California, highlighted that the tragic events were the result of individual mistakes rather than a reflection on the entire community.
Leave a Comment
Popular News
Recent News
Weather

38%
8 MPH
-
17° Oct. 23, 2025
-
23° Oct. 23, 2025