Indian National Charged in US After Ohio Crash Kills Pregnant Teen Partner, Unborn Child
- Jun 4
- 2 min read
By Pranjal Gupta
New Delhi, June 4: An Indian national has reportedly been charged in the US after a high-speed crash in Ohio killed his pregnant teenage partner and their unborn child. A Darke County grand jury indicted Tarsem Singh on multiple charges, including involuntary manslaughter, reckless homicide and aggravated vehicular homicide. The victim's family has also backed his deportation, with her mother saying, "Nobody should ever deserve to die while pregnant with their first kid."
The crash happened on February 16 in Darke County, Ohio. Tarsem Singh, 33, was driving a Range Rover Velar with 17-year-old Ashlee Holmes on the passenger seat. Authorities in the area immediately spotted the car as it was travelling at 79 mph in a 55 mph zone.
Officials signalled Tarsem to pull over, but he did not comply. Instead, he accelerated the SUV rapidly, reaching speeds over 120 mph during the police pursuit. Singh lost control while taking a curve. The SUV crossed into oncoming traffic, crashed into a Jeep, and rolled over several times. The impact threw Holmes out of the vehicle, causing fatal injuries. Her unborn child also died in the crash.
Entered US Illegally
The Department of Homeland Security claimed that Singh entered US illegally in February 2017 through the southern border in California. An immigration judge later released him on bond.
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has placed a detainer on Singh. This means immigration authorities could begin deportation proceedings once the criminal case is completed. Meanwhile, he remains in custody on a bond of USD 1 million. Under US law, he is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
The case is scheduled to go to trial between 17 and 21 August. Singh's lawyer, Alex Pendl, has declined to comment while the legal proceedings remain ongoing.
Victim’s Family Supports Singh’s Deportation
Holmes' family has spoken publicly about the tragedy. Family members said Singh was the father of the unborn child and claimed that Ashlee had tried to leave the relationship several times before her death.
Ashlee's mother, Annette Holmes, said she supports Singh's deportation. She said no legal decision could ever make up for the loss of her daughter and grandchild.
She said, "Nobody should ever deserve to die while pregnant with their first kid. I'm OK with him being kicked out of the country permanently. I don't want him in the States no more,” reported US media portal Newsweek.
Annette also remembered her daughter as a kind and cheerful young woman who always cared deeply for others. She said Ashlee often appeared happy and positive, even when she was facing personal difficulties.
"She was always outwardly happy even if she was having a bad day," her mother said.
