A King County judge set bail at $100,000 for a California truck driver accused in a three vehicle crash on northbound SR 167 near SR 18 in Auburn that killed a 29-year-old Bonney Lake man on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025.

As we previously reported, Kamalpreet Singh, 25, of Elk Grove, California, was arrested Thursday morning on investigation of vehicular homicide following the crash, according to the Washington State Patrol and the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

At Singh’s first appearance hearing, prosecutors argued there was probable cause for his arrest and requested that bail be set at $100,000. After hearing from both sides, the judge set bail at that amount, the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office said. The court also issued an order prohibiting Singh from driving if he posts bond.

Singh remains in the King County Jail on the bail amount set by the judge, according to prosecutors.

The fatal crash was reported about 7:14 a.m. Thursday when a 2020 Freightliner Cascadia semi struck a blue 2010 Mazda 3 that was stopped behind a white 2016 Peterbilt truck on northbound SR 167 just south of SR 18, the State Patrol has said. Troopers said the semi pushed the Mazda into the Peterbilt, violently crushing the passenger vehicle between the two trucks.

Sadly, the Mazda driver, identified by the State Patrol as Robert B. Pearson, 29, of Bonney Lake, was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to a first appearance document written by the State Patrol and presented in court by the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, troopers determined Singh made no attempt to brake or take evasive action before striking the stopped vehicles. The document also alleges Singh falsified his electronic logbook by listing a co driver and includes data that investigators said could indicate the logbook was altered or disconnected.

The Peterbilt driver told troopers he was fully stopped in traffic and felt a single impact consistent with being struck by a large commercial vehicle, according to the State Patrol narrative.

Investigators seized two iPhones from Singh pending a search warrant as part of the ongoing investigation into factors including driving hours and possible distraction, the report states.

The Prosecuting Attorney’s Office emphasized that a first appearance hearing is not the same as a felony charging decision, which requires a higher burden of proof. Prosecutors said they have not yet received a felony case referral from the State Patrol but anticipate receiving one for a charging decision in the coming days.

Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.