SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Diya TV) — A deadly crash involving a commercial truck driver near Sacramento has renewed debate over immigration enforcement, commercial driver’s licenses, and public safety in California.
Authorities arrested 24-year-old Manvir Singh after a multivehicle crash on Highway 99 near Lodi on May 19 left two people dead and several others injured. Investigators said Singh, who drove a semi-truck, tried to flee the scene on foot before deputies took him into custody.
The California Highway Patrol said the crash happened shortly before 12:30 p.m. Officials said traffic had slowed in the right lane when Singh’s Freightliner truck struck several vehicles from behind, causing a chain reaction collision. Two young men riding in a Kia Forte died at the scene, while five others suffered injuries.
Prosecutors charged Singh with vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, hit-and-run resulting in death or injury, and resisting arrest, according to law enforcement officials. Federal immigration officials later confirmed that Singh entered the United States illegally through Arizona in 2023 and was released pending immigration proceedings. Immigration and Customs Enforcement also placed a detainer request with California authorities.
The case quickly drew national attention after Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said California issued Singh a commercial driver’s license in March 2025. Critics of the state’s immigration policies argued the incident exposed gaps in the licensing system for commercial truck drivers.
The crash revived discussion around a proposed federal measure known as “Dalilah’s Law.” The proposal would prevent undocumented immigrants from receiving commercial driver’s licenses in the United States. Lawmakers named the proposal after Dalilah Coleman, a young girl who suffered severe injuries in a 2024 crash involving another truck driver accused of being in the country illegally.
Supporters of the legislation argue that stricter rules would improve highway safety and reduce the risk of fatal crashes involving commercial vehicles. They also point to several recent cases involving truck drivers from India who faced criminal charges after deadly accidents in different states.
In Washington state, authorities arrested Kamalpreet Singh after a December 2025 crash that killed a 29-year-old man. In Indiana, police charged Singh Sukhdeep in a February 2026 fatal crash after investigators said he ran a red light while driving a truck.
Another case involved Jashanpreet Singh, who authorities accused of causing a deadly crash in Ontario, California, while allegedly driving under the influence in October 2025. In Florida, federal authorities arrested Harjinder Singh after a crash that killed three people during what investigators described as an illegal U-turn involving a semi-truck.
Republican lawmakers and conservative commentators have criticized California leaders, including Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, over immigration and sanctuary state policies.
Critics argue California’s approach limits cooperation with federal immigration authorities and allows undocumented immigrants to remain in the state after arrests. Supporters of sanctuary policies, however, say such laws help build trust between immigrant communities and local law enforcement agencies.
California law generally limits cooperation with ICE detainer requests unless individuals face certain serious criminal convictions. Immigration advocates also argue that undocumented immigrants should still have access to driver training, insurance, and licensing programs to improve road safety.
Federal officials with the Department of Homeland Security strongly criticized the current system after the Lodi crash. DHS officials said commercial truck drivers should meet strict federal standards, especially because many operate large vehicles that transport hazardous materials across state lines.
Investigators continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the Highway 99 crash. Authorities have not yet released additional details about Singh’s driving history or whether other factors contributed to the collision.
