DOT Report Accuses California Governor of Violating Federal Law in Deadly Truck Crash Involving Illegal Immigrant
Federal Report Points to State-Level Negligence
A new report from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has accused California Governor Gavin Newsom of violating federal law in connection with a fatal truck crash that claimed three lives in San Bernardino County earlier this week. Federal investigators say state officials improperly upgraded the commercial driver’s license (CDL) of Jashanpreet Singh, a 21-year-old Indian national living in the U.S. illegally, just weeks after a new federal regulation barred undocumented immigrants from obtaining or renewing such licenses.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy leveled the accusations during a press briefing Friday afternoon, stating that “California broke the law, and now three people are dead.” The report asserts that the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) ignored federal warnings and unlawfully expanded Singh’s driving privileges, enabling him to operate large commercial vehicles across state lines.
New Federal Rules and Timeline of Events
The federal regulation in question took effect on September 26, 2025. Enacted in the wake of growing concerns about border security and transportation safety, the new rule prohibits states from issuing or renewing CDLs for individuals unable to prove legal presence in the United States. The DOT had instructed all state DMVs to conduct compliance audits and revoke any active licenses that violated this policy.
According to federal investigators, California received the order and related guidance on September 29. But rather than enforce the rule, the state proceeded to upgrade Singh’s license from “restricted intrastate” to “unrestricted commercial” status on October 15—just 19 days later. That upgrade allowed him to drive large trucks on interstate routes.
Federal officials say the action was a direct breach of the regulation. The DOT report states, “Governor Gavin Newsom’s administration was explicitly warned that the state’s CDL program was not in compliance. California’s failure to act endangered public safety.”
The Deadly Chain-Reaction Crash
On Tuesday afternoon, Singh was hauling freight eastbound on the congested Interstate 10 in San Bernardino County when his semi-truck plowed into a line of slowed vehicles near the Cherry Avenue exit. Dashcam footage reviewed by investigators shows the truck barreling toward stalled traffic moments before the fiery crash that destroyed several vehicles.
Witnesses say the impact was so intense that debris sprayed across multiple lanes. Three people died instantly at the scene, and four others were hospitalized with serious injuries. Authorities revealed that Singh appeared impaired and later tested positive for controlled substances. He has been charged with vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and driving under the influence.
Federal and State Response
Transportation Secretary Duffy called the crash “a preventable tragedy that resulted from California’s deliberate refusal to comply with federal safety mandates.” He announced that the DOT’s Office of Inspector General has opened a criminal inquiry into the state’s handling of commercial driver licensing procedures. The department also plans to recommend sanctions that could include withholding federal highway funds pending corrective action.
Governor Newsom’s office did not issue a direct comment on the report but released a brief statement late Friday asserting that California “remains committed to road safety and will cooperate fully with federal authorities.” The statement did not address the specific allegations of license violations or whether disciplinary actions would be taken against state DMV officials.
The Driver’s History and Immigration Status
Singh’s immigration record has added another layer of controversy. Federal authorities confirmed that he entered the United States in 2022 through the southern border and was released pending immigration proceedings that never concluded. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has since issued a detainer for his arrest. The DOT report highlights Singh’s case as emblematic of “critical systemic failures” in California’s licensing system.
Investigators say Singh initially obtained a restricted commercial license last June, permitting him to operate commercial vehicles within California’s borders only. When the federal regulation banning undocumented CDL holders took effect, his credentials should have been flagged for revocation. Instead, the state DMV removed the restriction entirely, expanding his legal permissions.
Historical Context and Policy Disputes
The practice of allowing undocumented immigrants to apply for limited state driver’s licenses dates back to 2015, when California passed Assembly Bill 60. Proponents argued that the measure would improve road safety by ensuring all drivers were trained, tested, and insured. However, the federal government has long drawn a distinction between standard driver’s licenses and commercial ones, which require stricter vetting due to the increased public risk associated with operating heavy vehicles.
In 2019, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issued updated guidance emphasizing that CDL eligibility must align with federal immigration laws. Tuesday’s crash has revived longstanding tensions between federal regulators and states—particularly California—over jurisdictional boundaries in transportation policy and immigration enforcement.
Public Outcry and Political Backlash
Public reaction to the crash has been immediate and intense. Families of the victims have called for accountability, with several announcing plans to pursue wrongful death lawsuits against both Singh and the state of California. Trucking industry groups, meanwhile, have demanded stricter compliance enforcement at the state level.
The California State Trucking Association released a statement Friday evening describing the case as “an unacceptable breakdown in regulatory oversight.” The statement continued, “Every commercial driver on the road must meet the same safety and legal standards. The tragedy on Interstate 10 shows what happens when politics and process overtake responsibility.”
Online forums and social media posts have been flooded with demands for federal intervention and calls for reforms within the California Department of Motor Vehicles. Road safety activists argue that the incident exposes broader systemic issues related to lax enforcement and political interference in licensing procedures.
Economic and Infrastructure Implications
Beyond the immediate human toll, the case raises broader concerns about the state’s compliance with federal funding requirements. Federal highway grants and transportation aid often depend on strict adherence to DOT safety mandates. Should California be found in violation, it risks losing millions in federal infrastructure funds used for highway maintenance, port logistics, and freight corridor improvements.
Economists note that such funding cuts could ripple through California’s freight industry, which represents a major component of the state’s $4.8 trillion economy. Trucking accounts for nearly 80 percent of California’s domestic freight movement, serving as a critical link between Pacific ports and inland distribution centers. Even temporary disruptions could create significant backlogs, affecting supply chains nationwide.
Transportation analysts warn that if federal sanctions are imposed, California may face delays in ongoing highway modernization projects, raising costs and slowing the movement of goods across the western states. Neighboring states such as Arizona and Nevada, which have prioritized CDL compliance oversight, are likely to absorb a greater share of incoming freight traffic.
Comparisons to Other States’ Licensing Compliance
The DOT’s report contrasts California’s approach with that of states such as Texas, Florida, and Washington, which rapidly updated their CDL systems in line with the new federal rule. These states implemented electronic verification crosschecks with immigration databases to ensure compliance. Preliminary audits show that their programs have achieved near-total enforcement with minimal disruptions to licensing services.
By contrast, California’s DMV has faced repeated criticism for slow modernization and inadequate data sharing. A 2023 state auditor’s report cited “serious data integrity flaws” in its CDL monitoring system, warning that the agency’s outdated technology made it vulnerable to errors and noncompliance. The latest incident appears to have validated those warnings, amplifying calls for an independent review.
Ongoing Investigations and Potential Outcomes
Multiple investigations are now underway. The California State Legislature’s transportation committee has announced plans to hold public hearings next month to examine how Singh’s license upgrade was approved. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has dispatched a compliance team to Sacramento to audit licensing records and identify any additional violations.
If federal investigators find evidence of willful neglect or fraud, state officials could face criminal charges or administrative penalties. The DOT has also hinted that further restrictions may be placed on California’s ability to independently manage CDL programs until it can demonstrate compliance with national standards.
Broader Consequences for Federal-State Relations
This case underscores the ongoing clash between federal oversight and state autonomy in regulating mobility, immigration, and safety. Historically, states have enjoyed broad discretion over standard driver’s licenses, but commercial licenses—because they involve interstate commerce—fall under federal jurisdiction. The crash may therefore become a pivotal test case for how Washington enforces its transportation safety rules against state governments accused of noncompliance.
As the investigation unfolds, families of the victims continue to mourn, truckers express unease over regulatory uncertainty, and policymakers brace for a legal and political battle that could reshape how commercial licensing is handled nationwide. For now, federal officials insist that the DOT’s priority remains clear: ensuring that no unqualified driver ever again slips through the cracks of a system designed to protect lives on America’s roads.