In Ohio, a tragic accident occurred when Punjabi-born Tarsem Singh (33), allegedly trying to escape police, drove his Range Rover at high speed and crashed into a Jeep, killing a 17-year-old pregnant girl and her unborn child.
The court, hearing the case, imposed a fine of $1 million (₹94 million) on the accused. The next hearing has been scheduled for April 3.
High-Speed Chase Ends in Fatal Crash
According to the Darke County Sheriff’s Department, the incident took place around 8:15 p.m. on February 16, 2026. A deputy spotted a Range Rover Velar speeding at 79 mph on State Route 47, exceeding the 55 mph limit.
When police signaled the vehicle to stop, the driver, Tarsem Singh, accelerated instead. The chase continued for about 5 miles (8 km), with speeds reaching nearly 124 mph (around 200 km/h).
Due to excessive speed, the vehicle went out of control on a turn and collided head-on with an oncoming Jeep. The impact was so severe that the Range Rover overturned multiple times.
Pregnant Teen Killed, Driver Injured
The victim, identified as Ashley Holmes, was ejected from the Jeep and died on the spot. She was pregnant, and her unborn child also did not survive.
The Jeep driver, Roxana Casarez Santiago, sustained minor injuries. Meanwhile, Tarsem Singh was seriously injured and airlifted to a hospital.
Legal Action and Charges
Police stated that strict legal action is being taken based on the investigation by the Ohio State Highway Patrol and cruiser camera footage.
On March 23, 2026, a Darke County grand jury indicted Singh on eight felony charges, including involuntary manslaughter, negligent homicide, and aggravated vehicular homicide.
Immigration Status Under Scrutiny
Investigations revealed that Tarsem Singh was an undocumented Indian national. Following this, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) placed him under detention.
He appeared in court via video conferencing and pleaded not guilty.
Incident Sparks Debate
The incident has triggered discussions on social media among locals regarding reckless driving and safety concerns. Authorities are also investigating the relationship between the accused and the deceased girl.