New details reveal that the driver was able to obtain his commercial driver's license (CDL) through both state and federal processes that were in place at the time. However, those processes changed on a federal level on Sept. 26, just over a month before the deadly crash.
Through his public defender, and with an interpreter by his side, Jashanpreet Singh pleaded not guilty to the multiple criminal counts against him, including gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and causing bodily injury or death, and driving under the combined influence of alcohol and drugs.
This comes after the San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office filed charges against the 21-year-old.
After the Friday morning hearing, Singh remained in custody and was being held without bail.
Three people, including a Pomona High School basketball coach and his wife, were killed in Tuesday's crash.
Driver identified, arrested for DUI in deadly crash on 10 Fwy
The DA's office says eyewitnesses and dashcam video show Singh traveling at a high rate of speed into stopped traffic along the westbound 10 Freeway in Ontario, causing a chain reaction crash. Eyewitness News obtained dashcam video of the crash.
The Department of Homeland Security also issued an immigration arrest detainer on Singh, who they say entered the U.S. illegally from India in 2022.
According to Department of Motor Vehicles records, Singh did have a valid commercial driver's license to operate a semitruck.
Federal officials say this tragedy should have never happened.
The Department of Transportation (DOT) released what it calls a "bombshell" report, accusing California of violating federal law by allowing Singh to continue driving when he should have been disqualified.
The report says the state failed to enforce an emergency rule issued in September -- one that tightened licensing requirements for all non-U.S. citizens.
In June, California issued Singh -- who is an asylum seeker -- a restricted, non-domiciled CDL with a "K" restriction, limiting driving to in-state.
In September, the federal government paused all issuances of non-domiciled CDLs.
In October, Singh turned 21, and his "K" restriction was removed. DOT officials say, if California had followed the new rule, Singh's license would have been denied because of his status as an asylum seeker.
Gov. Gavin Newsom's office pushed back on those claims, saying:
"The federal government approved and renewed this individual's federal employment authorization multiple times - which allowed him to obtain a commercial driver's license in accordance with federal law."
According to the California State Department of Transportation, Singh was issued a federal work permit authorization until 2030.
A mere four months after receiving a CDL to operate a semitruck, Singh could be facing years behind bars.
The DOT is threatening to withhold nearly $40 million in funding for California if the state does not start complying with the new rules put in place since September.
Singh is scheduled to appear in court again on Nov. 4.