Los Angeles, CA — Federal immigration authorities have lodged a detainer request against Jashanpreet Singh, an Indian national accused of causing a deadly DUI crash that killed three people and injured several others in San Bernardino County, California, on October 22.
According to local law enforcement reports and a statement from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Singh faces multiple charges, including vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and driving under the influence. Dash camera footage reportedly captured the horrific collision, which has reignited national conversations around immigration enforcement and highway safety.
ICE officials said Singh, who entered the U.S. in 2022 through the southern border and was later released into the country, is now the subject of an immigration detainer — a request for local authorities to notify federal agents before releasing him from custody.
“Tragedies like this are 100% preventable,” said Andre Quinones, Acting Field Office Director for ICE’s Los Angeles Enforcement and Removal Operations. “We will ensure that those who break our laws and endanger lives are held accountable. Criminals like Jashanpreet Singh will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and removed from our country to protect public safety.”
The crash, which resulted in three fatalities, comes amid a broader pattern of DUI incidents involving non-citizens operating commercial or personal vehicles, according to ICE. Earlier this week, a similar case involved another suspect in a fatal trucking accident in California.
Broader Context and Community Impact
San Bernardino County residents have expressed shock and frustration following the tragedy, which underscores ongoing concerns about road safety, commercial driver licensing, and federal immigration policies.
Local advocacy groups say the incident highlights the urgent need for stronger driver vetting systems and better coordination between immigration and transportation agencies. At the same time, community leaders have urged compassion for victims and restraint in politicizing the tragedy.
“Three lives were lost — families shattered — and that should be our focus first,” said one San Bernardino community organizer. “Accountability is essential, but so is addressing the root causes of unsafe driving and policy gaps.”
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has encouraged victims of immigration-related crimes to seek assistance through its Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) Office, available at 1-855-488-6423.
As investigations continue, this case serves as a sobering reminder of how gaps in enforcement, policy, and accountability can converge with devastating human cost.
