Gurpreet Singh, 21, Died in Industrial Accident at Fresno Truck Yard Near Belmont Avenue and Lafayette Avenue
FRESNO, CALIFORNIA (May 3, 2026) – A 21-year-old mechanic identified as Gurpreet Singh has tragically died in a Fresno semi-truck accident at a trucking yard by Belmont Avenue and Lafayette Avenue.
Fresno County officials are saying that the accident took place around 4:00 PM on Wednesday. Gurpreet Singh was working at a trucking repair yard when he became pinned between a semi-truck and a trailer as the two were being hooked up.
Paramedics were called to the scene of the accident to help the victim. Despite life-saving measures, Gurpreet Singh died due to the severity of his injuries.
Cal/OSHA is investigating the fatal collision.
Liability for Fresno Semi-Truck Accidents
Truck drivers have a legal obligation to exercise due care at all times. They must be particularly cautious when pedestrians are nearby, especially as they are backing up a vehicle. According to CA Veh Code § 22106, “No person shall start a vehicle stopped, standing, or parked on a highway, nor shall any person back a vehicle on a highway until such movement can be made with reasonable safety.” Truck drivers should take several measures to prevent backup accidents.
- Planning: Truck drivers should avoid backing up when possible by planning their routes and only parking in areas that allow for wide turns.
- Look: Truck drivers should physically exit their vehicle and look when possible to avoid colliding with pedestrians or other objects as they are backing up.
- Spotter: Truck drivers should use a trained spotter to help guide them into certain areas if their visibility is reduced.
- Windows: Truck drivers should keep the windows down as they’re backing up so they can maintain clear communication with anyone who may be nearby.
If a worker is injured in a semi-truck accident in California, they or their surviving family members will typically have recourse through the workers’ compensation system. This is a no-fault insurance scheme designed to help injured workers. In addition to workers’ compensation, injured workers and their surviving family members may be able to pursue some measure of accountability through a third-party liability claim. A third-party liability claim may be possible if an entity separate from a worker’s employer contributed to a crash.
Third-Party Liability for Fresno Semi-Truck Accidents
Car accidents remain one of the leading causes of preventable injury and death for workers in the United States. According to the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics, “There were 54,750 nonfatal work-related transportation incidents involving one or more days away from work in 2020, down from 64,210 in 2019. […] There were 7,520 pedestrian vehicle incidents in 2020, which accounted for 13.7 percent of all work-related transportation incidents involving days away from work.” There could be several sources of third-party liability for any truck accident in California.
- Truck Driver: A truck driver could be liable for an accident if they failed to exercise due care or use a spotter to avoid hitting a pedestrian.
- Trucking Company: A trucking company that employed that driver could also bear some level of responsibility. For example, they could be liable for negligent hiring or their failure to enforce safety rules.
- Property Owner: A property owner could face liability for a workplace truck accident if they failed to maintain their worksite in a reasonably safe condition.
- General Contractor: A general contractor could also be liable for a workplace accident if they were responsible for safety at a certain location and neglected their duties.
The vast majority of workplace truck accidents are preventable. They tend to be the results of clear safety lapses. Most truck accidents can be prevented when OSHA regulations are being followed. Sadly, truck companies and their carriers will almost never accept responsibility if they are involved in a fatal collision. This is why it is so important that these incidents are thoroughly investigated by an outside party. The family of any person who died in a semi-truck accident may be able to seek some measure of accountability and transparency through a civil action.
Investigating Fresno Semi-Truck Accidents
We at Carrazco Law extend our deepest condolences to the family of Gurpreet Singh. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to OSHA. This was a preventable tragedy that should have never taken place. Many questions remain unanswered. What is the safety record of the company that owned the truck? Was the truck driver using a spotter or any other safety options?
Do you need more information about a Fresno semi-truck accident? Our team of workplace safety advocates is here for you. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected through skilled advocacy. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (800) 541-3244.
