A baptized Sikh, never did drugs: Trucker's family

Gurdaspur: The family of trucker Jashanpreet Singh , who smashed into multiple vehicles, allegedly under the influence of drugs , and killed at least three people in California, is numb with shock and disbelief.

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"He was an 'Amritdhari ( baptized Sikh )' who never took drugs or alcohol. He was disciplined and god-fearing. It must have been an unfortunate accident, not negligence," said his maternal uncle, Gurbaksh Singh, in Purana Shala village of Punjab's Gurdaspur district. They are praying for the victims who lost their lives, he said, while also appealing for mercy for Jashanpreet. "Save my son," his mother Jasveer Kaur pleaded with everyone she saw at her doorstep. The atmosphere in the small house was heavy with grief Friday as news broke of Jashanpreet's arrest and the video of his truck barrelling into California traffic went viral.

The 22-year-old took the 'dunki route' to the US but only to support his family back home, said relatives.

Jashanpreet's father Kulwinder Singh, who works as a school bus driver, can barely speak as relatives and villagers visit to console the family. "Please help our boy. He went abroad only to build our future, not harm anyone," his mother said, in barely a whisper. Gurbaksh said the family's modest home was built through loans. Kulwinder spent nearly Rs 40 lakh, much of which he borrowed, to send Jashanpreet abroad - though illegally.

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"He wanted to work hard, repay the debt, and start a small business," said Gurbaksh, adding, as a baptized Sikh, Jashanpreet never touched drugs or alcohol. Farmer leader and social activist Ranjit Singh, who visited the family, urged both Centre and Punjab govt to take up the matter with US authorities.