Indian Truck Driver's Lenient Sentence for Fatal Crash Sparks US Fury

Singh, 21, pleaded guilty to three counts of vehicular manslaughter and one count of reckless driving causing great bodily injury. The crash on Interstate 10 in Ontario, California, occurred in 2025 and involved a chain reaction that killed three people.

The sentence, handed down in a San Bernardino County courtroom, fell short of the maximum penalty of more than 10 years that prosecutors had sought. The judge cited Singh's lack of prior criminal history and his cooperation with authorities as factors in the decision.

The verdict has triggered outrage among victims' families and community members, who argue the punishment does not reflect the severity of the loss. A petition calling for a harsher sentence has gathered thousands of signatures, and local politicians have publicly criticized the ruling.

Singh, an Indian national, will be eligible for deportation after serving his prison term, according to immigration officials. His defense attorney said the family plans to appeal the sentence, arguing it was excessive given the circumstances of the crash.

The case has also renewed debate over truck driver safety regulations and the enforcement of driving hours, with advocacy groups calling for stricter oversight of commercial drivers, particularly those on long-haul routes.