Federal Report Follows Deadly California Truck Crash

California Truck Crash Leads to Federal Review of State Licensing

A deadly California truck crash involving a 21-year-old driver has prompted a federal investigation into how the state issued his commercial driver’s license. The October 21, 2025, collision on Interstate 10 killed three people and injured several others. Federal officials say the crash exposed failures in how California handles commercial licensing for non-domiciled drivers.

Timeline of the California Truck Crash

• June 27, 2025 — California issued a restricted, non-domiciled commercial driver’s license (CDL) to a 20-year-old asylum seeker, who entered the U.S. in 2022.
• September 26, 2025 — The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) released a report warning that California was not complying with federal CDL standards. The state was given 30 days to fix licensing procedures.
• October 15, 2025 — California upgraded Singh’s CDL and removed its “K restriction,” allowing him to drive across state lines.
• October 21, 2025 — The fatal California truck crash occurred near Ontario, CA, when Singh’s semi-truck struck multiple stopped vehicles on I-10.
• October 22, 2025 — Singh was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs and charged with gross vehicular manslaughter.

The Driver’s Status and Licensing Questions

The driver, identified as Jashanpreet Singh, is an Indian national who entered the U.S. in 2022 and has been described as an asylum-seeker or person without full immigration status, according to federal officials. 

DOT and other agencies say that the state of CA issued him a CDL despite his status and amid questions over licensing enforcement.

Federal Findings After the California Truck Crash

According to a DOT report released by Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy, California violated federal law by issuing and upgrading Singh’s license without proper immigration and employment verification. The report said the state failed to use the federal SAVE system as required by a new emergency rule issued in late September.

The DOT stated that one in four non-domiciled CDLs issued in California did not meet federal standards. As a result, the state now faces potential funding consequences and must audit its CDL program.

Regulatory Fallout and FMCSA Response

The FMCSA confirmed that California has 30 days to identify and void non-compliant licenses. States must verify each driver’s employment-based visa before issuing or renewing a CDL. Under the new rule, asylum applicants are not eligible for non-domiciled CDLs.

The California truck crash has drawn attention to enforcement gaps that may exist in other states. The FMCSA said it will expand audits nationwide to prevent similar licensing failures.

Industry Concerns and Safety Implications

For the trucking industry, the case highlights two growing concerns — compliance and safety. Carriers are being urged to review their driver rosters, verify active CDLs, and confirm that immigration status checks are current. Safety advocates say the crash also underscores the need for stricter substance-testing and better driver oversight, especially for new operators.

Analysts warn that regulatory actions could slow hiring and tighten freight capacity if states revoke thousands of non-compliant licenses.

What the California Truck Crash Means for Drivers and Carriers

The tragedy has become a focal point for federal and state officials. While investigators continue to piece together what happened before the collision, the aftermath is already changing how states handle CDL verification.

For fleets, the lesson is clear: licensing and compliance must be airtight. Any gaps in verification or training can lead to severe legal and financial risks.