Indian-origin semi-truck driver Manjit Singh.

An Indian-origin semi-truck driver has been charged with aggravated vehicular homicide after allegedly causing a head-on crash in Ohio that killed a 50-year-old woman, with the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) blaming the Biden administration’s immigration policies and California’s sanctuary policies for allowing him to obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL).The crash took place around 9pm on September 2 on US 68 and Hamer Road in Brown County’s Pleasant Township, according to local reports and court records.Ohio State Highway Patrol said a 2019 Volvo tractor-trailer was passing another northbound vehicle when it collided head-on with a southbound Chevrolet Cruze.

Woman killed in head-on crash

The driver of the Chevrolet, identified as Brenda Watson, 50, of West Union, died at the scene, according to the highway patrol. Court records say the semi-truck driver, Manjit Singh of Fresno, California, was attempting to pass another vehicle when he hit Watson’s car.A witness told investigators that Singh was speeding and had “ample time and space” to merge back into the northbound lane before the crash.Singh was arrested and charged with aggravated vehicular homicide. US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) subsequently lodged a detainer with Brown County Jail, asking officials to notify the agency before releasing him.

DHS targets Biden, Newsom policies

DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said Singh had entered the US illegally through Arizona in October 2023 and was encountered by US Border Patrol before being released into the country.DHS said Singh later applied for work authorisation in July 2024, which was granted in August 2024. DHS also said Singh had obtained a commercial driver’s licence from California.“He has no business being in our country or on our roads, but because of the reckless open borders of the Biden Administration and the sanctuary policies of Gavin Newsom’s California, he was able to obtain a CDL that allowed him behind the wheel of a semi-truck,” Mullin said.Mullin said ICE had lodged the detainer so Singh would not be released back onto the streets and could be removed from the US. He also expressed condolences to Watson’s family.DHS cited several other cases involving immigrants who had obtained commercial or regular driving licences in California under Governor Gavin Newsom. The department alleged that some later faced criminal charges or were involved in fatal crashes in other US states.