Daijiworld Media Network – Washington
Washington, Sep 26: Partap Singh, an Indian national who had entered the United States illegally in October 2022, has been arrested by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for causing a multi-vehicle crash in California in June 2024. The accident critically injured a five-year-old girl, leaving her with permanent, life-altering conditions.
According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), Singh, driving a commercial 18-wheeler, was speeding and failed to stop at traffic signals and a construction zone. The collision also hospitalized the child’s stepfather, Michael Krause, while the girl, Dalilah Coleman, was airlifted after sustaining severe injuries.
Dalilah’s injuries include a broken femur, skull fractures, and she underwent a craniectomy, leaving her without half of her skull for four months. She has been diagnosed with diplegic cerebral palsy and global developmental delays, requiring lifelong therapy. Her father reported that she can no longer walk, talk, eat orally, or attend kindergarten as planned.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem condemned the incident, stating, “Dalilah Coleman’s life was forever changed when an illegal alien driving an 18-wheeler slammed into her and her family. This tragedy was entirely preventable.” She criticized California’s DMV for issuing Singh a commercial driver’s license despite his illegal status.
Singh remains in ICE custody pending immigration proceedings. This is the second high-profile case involving an Indian national illegally residing in the US and causing serious accidents while driving commercial trucks. In August, Harjinder Singh was arrested for causing a fatal 18-wheeler crash in Florida, resulting in three deaths.
The incidents have prompted the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to investigate and have raised concerns over foreign drivers operating large trucks on US roads.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio highlighted the dangers posed to American lives and livelihoods due to unregulated issuance of commercial driver licenses to foreign nationals.
This case underscores the critical need for strict compliance with immigration and commercial licensing regulations to ensure public safety on US highways.