SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA — A 21-year-old truck driver accused of triggering a deadly crash involving multiple vehicles and at least one other semi-truck on westbound Interstate 10 appeared in court Monday wearing a Sikh turban—a request that had not been granted during his earlier court appearances. The hearing drew attention not only because of the deadly October pileup tied to his big rig, but also because Monday’s proceeding was delayed for hours while officials waited for a Punjabi translator.

^{Photo credit: Frederick M. Brown/New York Post}

Authorities allege Jashanpreet Singh caused an eight-vehicle collision on westbound Interstate 10 in October when his semi-truck plowed into the back of an SUV, pushing vehicles forward into a chain reaction. Crash footage described in reports showed vehicles slamming together and bursting into flames, including another semi-truck caught up in the wreck. The crash killed three people, described as an elderly couple and an Upland resident, and left two others hospitalized, prompting renewed scrutiny on commercial vehicle safety and licensing.

Monday’s court hearing was delayed by about three hours as the court waited for Singh’s Punjabi translator. When he finally appeared, Singh wore standard orange jail scrubs along with a Sikh turban. The report noted Singh had previously asked to wear the traditional religious head covering, but he appeared bareheaded at earlier hearings. He was permitted to wear the turban in his mugshot after arrest, and Monday was the first time the request was reflected in court.

Despite the long delay, the hearing itself moved quickly. Singh did not directly address the judge, and his attorney requested a continuance. The court granted it, and Singh is scheduled to appear again on January 16.

Singh is charged with three counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and reckless driving. He previously faced a more severe allegation tied to intoxication, but that charge was dropped after reports said no alcohol or drugs were detected in his blood following the crash. Under the current charges, he faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted, compared with the up to 17 years he could have faced under the earlier, more serious filing. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

The case has also become a flashpoint in the debate over commercial driver licensing. A Department of Transportation report blamed California’s administration, alleging the state unlawfully upgraded Singh’s commercial license after a federal law passed weeks before the crash that reportedly barred illegal immigrants from holding commercial driving licenses. The DOT allegation stated Singh’s driving privileges were elevated from a restricted Commercial Driver’s License to an expanded CDL, and the day the new license was issued reportedly coincided with Singh’s 21st birthday. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the crash “would have never happened” if the new rules had been followed and warned there would be “consequences.”

Homeland Security officials also weighed in, saying the crash reflects what they described as a troubling trend involving illegal immigrants behind the wheel of large commercial trucks. The report also stated Homeland Security believes Singh entered the United States illegally through the southern border in 2022.

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