Pregnant Teen KILLED—Driver Never Deported

A preventable tragedy claiming two innocent lives has exposed yet another catastrophic failure of catch-and-release immigration policies that released a foreign national back onto American roads nine years ago, only to end in deadly consequences for an Ohio community in 2026.

Story Snapshot

Tarsem Singh, 33, illegally entered the U.S. in 2017, was arrested but released on bond and never deported
High-speed chase reached 124 mph on February 16, 2026, killing pregnant 17-year-old Ashlee Holmes and her unborn child
Singh faces vehicular homicide, two counts involuntary manslaughter, reckless homicide, and vehicular assault charges
ICE lodged detainer to prevent release after Singh pleaded not guilty while held on $1 million bond

Deadly Chase Ends Two Lives

Darke County Sheriff’s deputies attempted to stop Tarsem Singh’s speeding Range Rover on February 16, 2026, after clocking the vehicle nearly 25 mph over the posted limit. Singh immediately fled, accelerating to speeds reaching 124 mph during a pursuit lasting less than three minutes across five miles of rural Ohio roadways. The chase ended when Singh’s SUV struck a Jeep Cherokee head-on during a curve, ejecting passenger Ashlee Holmes, a 17-year-old pregnant teenager who died at the scene along with her unborn child. The Jeep driver sustained injuries requiring hospitalization in Richmond, Indiana.

Nine Years of Failed Enforcement

Singh, an Indian national, illegally crossed the U.S. southern border in California during February 2017. Border authorities arrested him immediately, but a judge released Singh on bond rather than ordering detention pending deportation proceedings. He subsequently evaded removal for nine years, remaining in the country without legal status. This case mirrors a troubling pattern cited by DHS officials, including similar incidents where individuals released under catch-and-release policies later committed serious crimes. The decision to release Singh in 2017 eliminated the opportunity to prevent his presence on American roads entirely.

Serious Criminal Charges Filed

Prosecutors indicted Singh on March 23, 2026, on multiple felony counts including vehicular homicide, two counts of involuntary manslaughter covering both Holmes and her unborn child, two counts of reckless homicide, vehicular assault against the Jeep driver, and failure to comply with law enforcement orders. Ohio law recognizes the unborn child as a separate victim, resulting in dual manslaughter charges that acknowledge two lives lost. Singh appeared before Judge Travis Fliehman via video with an interpreter, entering a not guilty plea while being held on $1 million bond. His next court hearing was scheduled for early April 2026.

Federal Detainer Blocks Release

The Department of Homeland Security moved swiftly after Singh’s indictment, with Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials lodging a formal detainer to prevent any potential release from local custody. Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis issued a pointed statement characterizing the crash as a “tragic reminder why illegal aliens should not be driving” and emphasizing Singh should “never be released back behind the wheel.” ICE publicly highlighted the stark contrast between Singh’s minor injuries requiring airlift hospitalization and the fatal outcome for his victims. The detainer ensures Singh faces deportation proceedings following any criminal conviction, though it cannot restore the lives lost to this preventable tragedy.

Community Devastated by Preventable Loss

The Holmes family faces incomprehensible grief after losing both Ashlee and her unborn child in circumstances entirely avoidable had immigration enforcement succeeded in 2017. Darke County residents now confront renewed concerns about road safety and the consequences of federal policies that released individuals who entered the country illegally. The crash underscores fundamental questions about government accountability when enforcement failures directly contribute to citizen deaths. While Singh’s relationship to Holmes remains unclear from available reports, the decision that allowed him to remain in America for nine years created the conditions for this fatal encounter. This case fuels legitimate frustration with immigration systems that prioritize releasing foreign nationals over protecting American communities from foreseeable risks.