24-year-old driver flees fatal crash scene, booked on manslaughter
Manvir Singh ran after his Freightliner rear-ended stopped traffic on Highway 99, killing two young men. His carrier operates five trucks and is unrated by FMCSA.
A 24-year-old truck driver fled on foot after his Freightliner Cascadia rear-ended a Kia Forte stopped in traffic on northbound Highway 99 near Lodi, California, on May 19, killing a 16-year-old and a 20-year-old. Manvir Singh was arrested nearby and booked into San Joaquin County Jail on felony vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and hit-and-run resulting in death. Bail was set at $185,000.
The crash happened at 12:20 p.m. south of Harney Lane. The Kia was stopped behind a Nissan Frontier and a Toyota Camry in the far right lane. The fully loaded semi did not stop. The impact pushed the Kia into the Frontier, which hit the Camry. A heavy-duty wrecker had to lift the big rig off one vehicle to reach a rear passenger. Five other people went to hospitals, two with major injuries. An open emergency line captured screaming at the time of the initial report.
What carrier was the driver working for?
Singh drove for Amritsar Trans Inc., DOT 3369665, registered at 1559 United Street in Manteca, California. The carrier operates five power units and nine drivers. FMCSA lists the carrier as unrated. Southlake Specialty Insurance Company provides coverage. The listed officer is Baljeet Singh.
California Highway Patrol has not yet released information on whether drugs or alcohol were factors. Singh appeared in court on Thursday.
Why small carriers stay unrated
An unrated carrier has not undergone a federal safety audit. FMCSA typically conducts a new-entrant audit within the first 18 months of operation, then follows up with compliance reviews based on crash history, inspection violations, and complaints. A five-truck fleet can operate for years without a rating if it avoids triggering an investigation.
For owner-operators considering lease or employment with a small carrier, an unrated status means no public safety score to check. Annual MVR checks leave carriers blind to suspended licenses for 11 months, federal rules require motor carriers to pull driver motor vehicle records once a year, so a license suspended in February can stay invisible until the next annual check.
What this means for drivers at small fleets
If you drive for a carrier under ten trucks, ask when the company last pulled your MVR and whether it subscribes to a continuous monitoring service. If you're an owner-operator hiring a second or third driver, a one-time MVR pull at hire leaves you exposed for eleven months. Continuous monitoring services cost $2 to $5 per driver per month and flag suspensions within 24 to 48 hours.
A felony manslaughter charge typically disqualifies a driver from holding a CDL. If Singh is convicted, his driving career ends. For the carrier, a fatal crash with a fleeing driver will trigger an FMCSA investigation and likely a compliance review. Insurance renewal will be difficult. Southlake Specialty underwrites high-risk fleets; a fatal crash with gross negligence will push premiums higher or force the carrier to a different insurer at a steeper rate.
