Family in Shock: Punjab Trucker's Kin Deny Drug Claims After Deadly California Crash

Gurdaspur: The family of Jashanpreet Singh, accused in the death of three people in a truck accident in California, is in shock. Jashanpreet, 22, of Purana Shala village in the Gurdaspur district of Punjab, is accused of driving a truck under the influence of drugs, the video of which went viral.

Family plea

The family described Jashanpreet as an Amritdhari Sikh (baptized Sikh) who never took drugs. His father, Kulwinder Singh, a school bus driver, had spent around Rs 40 lakh (mostly on loan) to send her to America. Mother Jasveer Kaur came to the door and pleaded, "Save my son. He had gone to improve our future, not to harm anyone."

Uncle Gurbaksh Singh said, "He was disciplined and a devotee of God. He stayed away from drugs and alcohol. This would be an unfortunate accident, not negligence." The family prayed for the dead and appealed for mercy.

White house expressed concern

Jashanpreet has been arrested after the incident. Farmer leader Ranjit Singh demanded the Central and Punjab governments talk to the US officials. The White House expressed concern, calling it a crime of "illegal immigration," and called for surveillance of 1 lakh Sikh truck drivers in the US.

There is an atmosphere of mourning in the village, where relatives and villagers are consoling the family.