Trucker pleads guilty to assaulting a CARB inspector

A truck driver has pleaded guilty to felony assault of a California Air Resources Board inspector nearly three years ago.

The incident occurred April 25, 2016, at a Pilot Truck Stop on Highway 395 in Hesperia, Calif., in San Bernardino County, according to a CARB news release.

Two CARB inspectors saw an older-model red Peterbilt truck that it did not have a diesel particulate filter, which is required for older vehicles under the state’s Truck and Bus Regulation.

The driver was working on the engine. The inspectors identified themselves and asked to inspect the truck. The driver was uncooperative. When he seemed about to leave, an inspector stepped in front of the truck to photograph the license plate. The driver then started the truck, revved the engine, and lurched the vehicle forward, hitting the inspector in the shoulder and chest as he attempted to get out of the way.

California Highway Patrol officers on site pulled the truck over. CARB inspectors then completed the inspection and cited the driver, Bhupinder Singhbal, for failing to have a diesel particulate filter and for labeling violations.

Singhbal was later charged by the San Bernardino County district attorney with assault with a deadly weapon. Singhbal pleaded guilty on Feb. 25 to felony assault and was sentenced to felony probation. If after five months, he successfully meets his requirements, his crime will be reduced to a misdemeanor and the remaining sentence of two years, seven months will be shifted to misdemeanor probation.

In December 2008, CARB established the California Statewide Truck and Bus Rule, which requires on-road diesel heavy trucks and buses in California be retrofitted, repowered, or replaced to reduce particulate matter emissions by at least 85%. Retrofitting the engines with CARB-approved diesel particulate filters fulfills this requirement.