DUBLIN — A misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter case is likely to be put on hold indefinitely after the defendant was reportedly deported to India, according to court records.
Palvindra Singh, 51, of Bremerton, Wash., was facing a misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter count alleging he caused the April 27, 2023 death of Juan Chan Saltay by speeding, leading to a five-car crash on Interstate 680 in Pleasanton. Singh was charged last year and was out of custody, hoping to complete a diversion program in lieu of criminal prosecution, court records show.
Singh’s deportation was made public when he didn’t make a Sept. 11 court appearance, records show. An Alameda County judge asked for paperwork proof that Singh was deported, and lawyers are expected to reconvene for this at the end of October.
Singh was working as a truck driver at the time of the crash. Authorities say Singh was speeding in a Freightliner truck and was at-fault in the five-car collision. Saltay was a passenger in a Toyota Highlander and complained of chest pain and a possible broken arm. He was hospitalized and later died. Three children inside the Toyota were also hospitalized with injuries, as was the driver of another involved BMX X3.
Court filings by the defense say Singh was surprised by unexpected vehicle movements in front of him and tried to swerve out of the way to prevent a crash, after realizing he couldn’t stop in time. The legal filings also claim that Saltay had a lung condition that contributed to his death.
