California DMV criticized for allowing drivers with manslaughter charges to keep licenses

An investigation by CalMatters has revealed that several semi-truck drivers in California were permitted to continue operating commercial vehicles despite facing vehicular manslaughter charges. The report, part of a series titled “License to Kill,” alleges that the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) failed to suspend the licenses of drivers who caused fatal collisions.

One specific case involves Baljit Singh, who was involved in a 2022 crash that killed Jenny Chow. The investigation found that Singh had previously been involved in a 2021 hit-and-run that killed a cyclist, yet his commercial license was not revoked until 2024 following a conviction.

In previous reports, the California DMV suggested that the failure to act was due to law enforcement agencies and the court system not reporting vehicular manslaughter charges to the department. The California DMV and the California Highway Patrol did not respond to requests for comment regarding these findings.