Semi-Truck Driver Charged in Deadly Northern California Hit-and-Run Crash
A semi-truck driver accused of causing a deadly multi-vehicle crash near Lodi, California, is facing multiple felony charges after authorities say two people were killed and several others were injured in the collision.
Update 5/21/26 11:00am: US Department of Homeland Security and ICE have requested Gavin Newsom to uphold a detainer and not release Manvir Singh, which California may do due to California state sanctuary policies.
According to the California Highway Patrol, the crash happened Tuesday afternoon on northbound Highway 99 near Harney Lane in Lodi in San Joaquin County. Investigators allege that a Freightliner semi-truck driven by 24-year-old Manvir Singh failed to stop for slowed traffic and slammed into several vehicles, triggering a chain-reaction collision.
Two occupants of a Kia Forte — identified by authorities as 16 and 20 years old — died at the scene. Five additional people were transported to area hospitals, including two victims who reportedly suffered major injuries.
Authorities say Singh allegedly fled the scene on foot immediately after the crash but was later apprehended nearby by law enforcement officers.
San Joaquin County officials have charged Singh with vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and hit-and-run resulting in death or injury.
Federal immigration officials told multiple media outlets that Singh is an Indian national who allegedly entered the United States illegally through Arizona in 2023 and was later released pending immigration proceedings. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has reportedly placed a detainer request on Singh with local authorities.
The California Highway Patrol and San Joaquin County prosecutors continue to investigate the crash.
This incident comes on the heels of a similar incident where another incident involving an non US citizen truck driver Jashanpreet Singh killed three people in Ontario, CA.
Ongoing Debate About Commercial Driver’s Licenses for Immigrants
These incidents and others have reignited debate surrounding commercial trucking safety, immigration enforcement, and oversight of commercial driver licensing for non-citizen drivers operating large commercial vehicles on California highways. Recently, thousands of immigrants & asylum seekers had lost their Commercial Driver’s Licenses due to a federal crackdown, but a tentative California ruling has reversed that action.
Federal immigration officials told multiple media outlets that Singh is an Indian national who allegedly entered the United States illegally through Arizona in 2023 and was later released pending immigration proceedings. According to reports, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has placed a detainer request on Singh with local authorities.
Additional reporting on the case can be found through the New York Post’s coverage of the deadly California hit-and-run involving Manvir Singh. Related reporting involving other fatal commercial truck crashes and ICE detainers involving non-citizen truck drivers is available from CBS Los Angeles and the U.S. Marshals Service.
Truck Accident Liability and Wrongful Death Claims
Deadly crashes involving commercial trucks often raise significant legal questions regarding driver negligence, trucking company oversight, hiring practices, hours-of-service compliance, vehicle maintenance, and potential third-party liability.
Families affected by catastrophic truck accidents may pursue wrongful death or personal injury claims against negligent drivers, motor carriers, or other responsible entities through a trucking accident lawyer in California. Evidence in these cases frequently includes electronic logging device data, dashcam footage, black box data, maintenance records, dispatch communications, and toxicology reports.
TruckAccidentAttorneyNetwork.org continues to monitor major commercial trucking crashes and legal developments across California and the United States.
