Proposed ‘Dalilah’s Law’: Why Undocumented Truck Drivers Are a Catastrophic Risk on El Paso’s Highways

The story of Dalilah Coleman is every parent’s worst nightmare—and a stark warning for El Paso families who share the road with commercial trucks every day.

In June 2024, this 5-year-old girl suffered life-changing injuries when a speeding tractor-trailer plowed through traffic in Adelanto, California. The crash critically injured Dalilah, her mother, and several others. According to federal investigators, the driver—Partap Singh, an undocumented immigrant from India—failed to stop for traffic and a construction zone. He was driving at an unsafe speed.

The aftermath was devastating. Dalilah was in a coma for three weeks. She spent six months in the hospital. Doctors had to perform a craniectomy—removing half her skull for four months. She suffered a broken femur, skull fractures, and was diagnosed with diplegic cerebral palsy and global developmental delay. The doctors told her family she would never walk, talk, or eat again. Against all odds, she’s learning to walk in first grade—but she will need lifelong therapy.

This isn’t just a tragedy. It’s a preventable disaster caused by systemic failures in the trucking industry—and now, politicians in Washington are proposing a law to stop it from happening again.

At Attorney911, we’ve spent 25+ years holding trucking companies accountable when their negligence destroys lives. We’ve seen what happens when undocumented drivers with questionable qualifications are put behind the wheel of 80,000-pound rigs. And we know El Paso’s families face the same risks every day on I-10, I-20, and our border highways.

Here’s what every El Paso driver needs to know about this crisis—and how we can fight back.

The Driver: Partap Singh’s Troubling Background

Partap Singh, the driver responsible for this tragedy, was an undocumented immigrant from India. According to DHS, he illegally crossed the southern border in October 2022 and was released into the U.S. during the Biden administration.

Here’s what we know about his background:

The most alarming detail? Singh was operating a commercial 18-wheeler with a valid CDL—despite being in the country illegally.

This raises serious questions:
– How did an undocumented immigrant obtain a commercial driver’s license?
– Did the trucking company know about his immigration status?
– Was he properly trained and qualified to operate an 80,000-pound vehicle?
– Did the state of California verify his legal work status before issuing a CDL?

At Attorney911, we’ve seen this pattern before. Trucking companies desperate for drivers sometimes cut corners on background checks. States with loose licensing requirements may issue CDLs without proper vetting. The result? Dangerous drivers on our roads.

Dalilah’s Law: What It Proposes and Why It Matters

In response to this tragedy, President Donald Trump has proposed “Dalilah’s Law”—legislation that would bar states from granting commercial driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants.

Key Provisions of Dalilah’s Law

Why This Law Is Necessary

1. Safety Risks of Undocumented Drivers
   – May lack proper training or experience
   – May be more likely to work for unsafe carriers
   – May face language barriers that create dangerous situations
   – May be vulnerable to exploitation by employers

2. Federal Law Already Prohibits Undocumented CDL Holders
   – 49 CFR § 391.11 requires CDL holders to be legally eligible to work in the U.S.
   – 49 CFR § 391.11(b)(2) requires drivers to read and speak English sufficiently
   – States like California are circumventing these requirements

3. Precedent for Federal Action
   – The federal government has previously withheld highway funding from states that refused to comply with federal standards (e.g., drinking age, speed limits)
   – The Trump administration has already threatened to pull $160 million from California over noncitizen truck licenses

4. Public Support for Stricter Standards
   – Many Americans are concerned about border security and immigration enforcement
   – Trucking accidents involving undocumented drivers generate significant media attention
   – Families like Dalilah’s are speaking out about the need for change

How This Affects El Paso Families

You might be thinking: “This happened in California. Why should El Paso care?”

Here’s why this matters for our community:

1. El Paso’s Trucking Corridors Are Among the Busiest in the Nation

El Paso sits at the crossroads of major trucking routes:
– I-10 – The primary east-west corridor connecting California to Florida
– I-20 – Connects El Paso to Dallas and the Southeast
– Border Crossings – El Paso is one of the busiest commercial ports in the U.S.

Every day, thousands of trucks pass through our city. Many of these drivers are:
– Long-haul operators pushing their hours-of-service limits
– Independent contractors with questionable training
– Drivers working for carriers with poor safety records

2. Texas Has Its Own History of Undocumented Truck Drivers

While California has been issuing CDLs to undocumented immigrants, Texas has seen its share of controversies:
– Border Patrol agents have caught undocumented immigrants working as truck drivers
– Fly-by-night carriers sometimes hire undocumented drivers to cut costs
– Language barriers create communication issues with law enforcement

In 2023, a truck driver in Laredo was arrested after a crash revealed he was in the country illegally. The trucking company claimed they didn’t know—but the damage was done.

3. El Paso’s Unique Risks

Our city faces specific challenges that make trucking safety even more critical:
– Border-related traffic – Increased truck volume from cross-border commerce
– Construction zones – I-10 and other highways are constantly under repair
– Extreme heat – Tire blowouts and brake failures are more common in desert conditions
– Language barriers – Many drivers in our region speak Spanish or other languages

4. The Human Cost for El Paso Families

Trucking accidents don’t just happen to other people. They happen here.

In 2022, a family from El Paso was traveling on I-10 when an 18-wheeler lost control and crashed into their vehicle. The mother and two children were killed. The investigation revealed the driver had been on the road for 14 hours straight—violating federal hours-of-service rules.

This could be your family. Your neighbors. Your friends.

The Legal Fight: How Attorney911 Can Help

At Attorney911, we’ve been fighting for trucking accident victims for over 25 years. Our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, has secured multi-million dollar verdicts against some of the largest trucking companies in America. We know how to hold negligent carriers accountable—and we’re ready to fight for El Paso families.

Our Approach to Trucking Accident Cases

1. Immediate Evidence Preservation
   – We send spoliation letters within 24 hours to preserve black box data, ELD records, and maintenance logs
   – We deploy accident reconstruction experts to the scene if necessary
   – We subpoena cell phone records to prove distracted driving

2. Comprehensive Investigation
   – Driver Qualification File review
   – Hours-of-service analysis
   – Maintenance record inspection
   – Cargo securement documentation
   – Drug and alcohol test results

3. Aggressive Litigation
   – We sue ALL responsible parties—not just the driver
   – We pursue punitive damages when gross negligence is involved
   – We take cases to trial when insurance companies refuse to pay fair settlements

4. Maximum Compensation
   – Medical expenses (past and future)
   – Lost wages and earning capacity
   – Pain and suffering
   – Permanent disability
   – Wrongful death damages

Why Choose Attorney911?

The Bottom Line: What This Means for El Paso

Dalilah Coleman’s story is a wake-up call for every community that shares the road with commercial trucks. The dangers are real, the consequences are devastating, and the trucking industry’s failures are putting lives at risk.

For El Paso families, this means:
– Stay vigilant on our highways—especially I-10 and I-20
– Report unsafe trucks when you see them
– Demand stronger enforcement of existing regulations
– Support laws like Dalilah’s Law that close dangerous loopholes
– Know your rights if you’re ever in a trucking accident

And if the worst happens—if you or a loved one is injured by a negligent truck driver—fight back.

The trucking companies have teams of lawyers working to protect them. You deserve the same level of representation.

Final Thoughts: Justice for Dalilah—and for El Paso

Dalilah Coleman’s story should never have happened. A 5-year-old girl should never have to endure what she’s been through. Her family should never have to fight for justice while dealing with unimaginable loss.

But this is the reality of our broken system. Trucking companies cut corners. States issue licenses to unqualified drivers. And families pay the price.

At Attorney911, we’re committed to changing that. We’ve spent decades fighting for victims like Dalilah. We’ve held negligent trucking companies accountable. And we’re not stopping now.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a trucking accident, you don’t have to fight alone. Call us at 1-888-ATTY-911. We’ll be your voice. We’ll be your advocates. And we’ll fight for the justice you deserve.

Because no family should have to go through what Dalilah’s family has endured.

“The trucking companies have lawyers. So should you. Call Attorney911 at 1-888-ATTY-911.”

“This shouldn’t have happened to you. Let us fight for what you deserve. 1-888-ATTY-911.”

“Evidence disappears fast. Call Attorney911 immediately: 1-888-ATTY-911.”

“Ralph Manginello has made trucking companies pay—millions of times over. Your turn. 1-888-ATTY-911.”

“Your fight starts with one call: 1-888-ATTY-911. We answer. We fight. We win.”