White House Demands Crackdown on Commercial Driver’s License Loopholes After Fatal Crash

A deadly California truck crash has triggered a White House call for a nationwide review of commercial driver’s licensing. The demand follows a collision involving a driver who entered the U.S. illegally and obtained a commercial license. The incident left three people dead and exposed potential security gaps.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the driver was granted a license by the state of California. According to Reuters, the Department of Transportation has launched an immediate investigation into the matter.

Systemic Failures Under Federal Scrutiny

The driver, Jashanpreet Singh, was charged with gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated. Officials state he was under the influence of drugs at the time of the October 22nd crash. His semi-truck plowed into slowed traffic on the I-10 Freeway.

The collision caused a massive multi-vehicle fire. Eight vehicles were involved in the chain-reaction crash. Four of them were large trucks.

Leavitt described the case as part of a “disturbing pattern.” She emphasized the administration is cracking down on licenses wrongfully issued to people who do not deserve them. The goal is to prevent such tragedies from recurring.

Immigration Status Intensifies Licensing Probe

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has lodged a detainer against Singh. He initially entered the United States through the southern border in 2022. Leavitt stated he was released into the country by the previous administration.

This detail has intensified scrutiny over how states verify eligibility for commercial vehicle operators. The federal review will focus on the procedures that allowed this to happen. The case highlights a critical intersection of immigration policy and transportation safety.

Dashcam footage from Singh’s truck, obtained by ABC7 News, shows the moments before impact. The video depicts the truck speeding toward a traffic jam before a violent collision. The crash immediately sparked a devastating fire.

The fatal incident has forced a national conversation on commercial driver’s license loopholes. The White House insists such licensing failures are unacceptable. Federal action aims to close these gaps and restore public safety confidence.

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What caused the California truck crash?

The crash was caused by a semi-truck driver, allegedly under the influence of drugs, slamming into slowed traffic. The collision triggered a chain reaction involving eight vehicles and a major fire.

Who is the truck driver involved?

The driver is Jashanpreet Singh, a 21-year-old man who entered the U.S. illegally in 2022. He has been charged with gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and driving under the influence.

What is the White House’s response?

The White House confirmed the driver had a California commercial license and called the situation unacceptable. The Department of Transportation has launched a review to crack down on wrongfully issued licenses.

How many people were hurt?

The crash resulted in three fatalities and four other people were injured. The collision and subsequent fire caused catastrophic damage to multiple vehicles.

What is an immigration detainer?

An immigration detainer is a request from ICE for local law enforcement to hold an individual for transfer into federal custody. ICE has lodged a detainer for Singh following his arrest.