A deadly chain-reaction crash on northbound Highway 99 near Lodi killed two young men — ages 16 and 20 — and injured five others. The driver allegedly ran from the scene and ordered an Uber to escape.
A big rig slammed into a line of slowing cars on Highway 99 south of Harney Lane just before 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, setting off a fatal chain reaction involving three vehicles.
The California Highway Patrol identified the driver as Manvir Singh, 24, who allegedly failed to brake his Freightliner Cascadia before rear-ending a Kia Forte. The impact pushed the Forte into a Nissan Frontier, which then hit a Toyota Camry.
What Happened After the Crash
- Prosecutors say Singh tried to drag one victim from the car. When the victim screamed, he ran — and later ordered an Uber to escape the scene.
- No skid marks were found on the road — suggesting Singh never tried to brake before impact, according to prosecutors.
- He was arrested nearby and charged with two counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, reckless driving, and hit-and-run resulting in death.
Defense Pushes Back
Singh’s attorney Jacob Benguerel argued this was a tragic accident, not gross negligence — noting his client was not drunk or impaired at the time of the crash.
Immigration Angle Draws Political Attention
The Department of Homeland Security said Singh entered the U.S. illegally through Arizona in July 2023 and was released. Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office released a statement saying those who commit violent acts must face consequences domestically and not simply be deported.
Bail Set at $400,000
The judge ruled Singh a flight risk given that he fled the scene. His bail was set at $400,000. Highway 99 saw hours of traffic backups as officers investigated and cleared the scene.
