Tarsem Singh, a man of South Asian descent accused of leading a high-speed chase in Ohio and causing a fatal crash that killed 17-year-old Ashley Holmes, who was pregnant at the time, has pleaded not guilty. The accident occurred in February when Singh was driving at a speed of 100 mph. Singh was driving a Land Rover Range Rover Velar which collided with a Jeep Cherokee. The driver of the jeep was injured but conscious and alert. Ashley Holmes, 17, who was riding in a Range Rover Velar, was thrown from the vehicle and was later pronounced dead. Singh was taken to an area hospital for his injuries and was later arrested.Singh’s bond has been set at $1 million. He is also facing an asylum case, meaning he could be deported if found guilty.According to the Darke County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy observed Singh driving at speeds of up to 100 mph and led him on a pursuit for approximately 5 miles on Feb. 16. The crash occurred as both vehicles were traveling at SR-47 and Ansonia Hunchbarger Road.When the deputy saw Singh’s car speeding, he activated his cruiser’s emergency lights and sirens, but Singh attempted to flee and as Singh accelerated his car, it collided with a car in which Holmes was sitting in the passenger seat. A grand jury indicted Tarsem Singh on two counts of involuntary manslaughter, negligent homicide and aggravated vehicular manslaughter and one count each of vehicular assault and failure to obey the order or signal of a police officer.One report claimed that Holmes’ family confirmed to Salm-McGill-Tanzman Funeral Home that Singh was the father of Holmes’ child.
