An Indian national, Partap Singh, who entered the U.S. illegally in October 2022, has been arrested in California following a multi-vehicle crash in June 2024 that severely injured a 5-year-old girl. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that Singh crossed the southern border and was subsequently released into the country.

The incident occurred when Singh was driving a commercial 18-wheeler. The California Highway Patrol reported that Singh was driving at an unsafe speed and failed to stop for traffic and a construction zone. The resulting collision critically injured five-year-old Dalilah Coleman, leaving her with life-altering injuries.

Dalilah was in a coma for three weeks and required six months of hospital treatment. Her father, Marcus Coleman, reported that she is unable to walk, talk, or eat orally, and has been diagnosed with diplegic cerebral palsy and global developmental delays, requiring lifelong therapy. She also suffered a broken femur and skull fractures.

Singh was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in late August and remains in custody pending immigration proceedings and possible deportation.

The case has stirred political debate, with DHS Secretary Kristi Noem criticizing California's licensing policies. Noem stated that the tragedy was preventable and highlighted that the California DMV issued Singh a commercial driver's license despite his illegal status. She added, "How many more innocent people have to be hurt before Gavin Newsom stops playing games with American lives?".

This is not an isolated incident. Another Indian national, Harjinder Singh, was arrested in August for a crash in Florida that resulted in three fatalities. He was driving a semi-truck and allegedly made an illegal U-turn, blocking all lanes of the highway. ICE had lodged an arrest detainer for Harjinder Singh as well.