Kristi Noem, DHS Secretary | official facebook
On June 20, 2024, a multi-car accident occurred in California involving Partap Singh, an undocumented immigrant from India who was driving a commercial 18-wheeler. The crash led to severe injuries for several people, including five-year-old Dalilah Coleman, who was airlifted to the hospital with critical injuries. Her stepfather, Michael Krause, was also hospitalized. According to the California Highway Patrol Traffic Crash Report, Singh drove at an unsafe speed and failed to stop for traffic and a construction zone.
Dalilah’s father reported that his daughter suffered extensive injuries as a result of the crash. She was unable to walk, talk, eat orally, or attend kindergarten as planned. Dalilah spent three weeks in a coma and required six months of hospital treatment before returning home. During her hospitalization, she underwent a craniectomy and lived without half of her skull for four months. She sustained a broken femur and skull fractures and has since been diagnosed with diplegic cerebral palsy and global developmental delay. She will require lifelong therapy.
Secretary Kristi Noem commented on the incident: “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,” said Secretary Kristi Noem. “This is sadly another example of Gavin Newsom’s California Department of Motor Vehicles issuing an illegal alien a Commercial Driver’s License. How many more innocent people must become victims before Gavin Newsom stops playing games with American lives? DHS is working around the clock to remove dangerous aliens—like Singh—who have no right to be in the U.S.”
Singh had crossed into the United States illegally through the southern border in October 2022 and was released into the country by federal authorities under current immigration policies. On August 29, 2025, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested Singh in Fresno, California pursuant to a warrant for his arrest; he remains in ICE custody pending immigration proceedings.
The case has brought renewed attention to state policies regarding driver licensing for undocumented immigrants as well as federal release practices at the border.
Last month ICE lodged an arrest detainer against another individual named Harjinder Singh following his arrest on three counts of vehicular homicide while driving a semi-truck in Florida.
DHS officials stated that law enforcement efforts continue daily to protect communities from similar incidents nationwide. Victims affected by crimes involving undocumented immigrants can seek assistance through the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) Office by calling 1-855-488-6423.
