Driver accused of causing the collisions that killed 3 on the 10 Freeway was in the country illegally, fed officials say

Federal authorities have lodged an immigration detainer for the truck driver accused of causing Tuesday’s deadly eight-vehicle crash on the 10 Freeway in Ontario that killed three people, including a former Pomona High School coach and his wife, they said on Thursday, Oct. 23.

Jashanpreet Singh, 21, of Yuba City was arrested on suspicion of felony DUI and gross vehicular manslaughter after the collision, which killed three people and injured several others, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The Department of Homeland Security said on Thursday that Singh, originally from India, entered the United States in 2022 and is in the country unlawfully.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement lodged the detainer, signalling that federal authorities should be notified before Singh is released from custody. They asked that he be held for up to 48 hours beyond his scheduled release so federal officers can assume custody.

Two victims were identified as Clarence Nelson, a former assistant basketball coach at Pomona High School, and his wife, according to a post by the school. The couple was in a vehicle that became engulfed in flames following the crash.

The third victim, a 54-year-old Upland man, was driving a pickup truck, authorities said. His name had not yet been publicly released.

The crash occurred around 1:10 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21, on the westbound 10 Freeway near the 15 Freeway.

Investigators said Singh, driving a Freightliner semi-truck, failed to stop as traffic slowed — triggering a chain-reaction collision involving four commercial big rigs and four other vehicles.

Four additional people were hospitalized, including two with major injuries, said Officer Rodrigo Jimenez, who is a CHP spokesperson.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.