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HESPERIA, Calif. – A truck driver will serve no time behind bars after purposely striking a California Air Resources Board (CARB) inspector with his big rig.

The California Air Resource Board officials said that they conduct inspections annually to ensure compliance with air pollution laws. On April 25, 2016, the CARB inspector noticed a suspected violation on a older red Peterbilt truck at the Pilot Truck Stop located off of Highway 395.

The inspectors approached the driver, who was working on the engine and asked to inspect the truck. The inspectors believed that the truck did not have a diesel particulate filter, which is required for older vehicles to reduce harmful diesel emissions.

The driver acted oddly, leading the inspectors to the belief he would not be cooperating with them. One of the inspectors went to the front of the truck to take a photo of the license plate. “The driver then started the truck, revved the engine and jumped the large vehicle forward, hitting the inspector in the shoulder and chest as he was attempting to move out of the way,” CARB officials said.

Officers from the California Highway Patrol (CHP) were at the site and quickly pulled the truck over. The inspectors were then able to inspect the vehicle. Bhupinder Singbal, the driver was cited for failing to have a diesel particulate filter and for labeling violations. A report was taken and forwarded it to the District Attorney’s officer for prosecution.

The San Bernardino County District Attorney’s office charged him with assault with a deadly weapon. Singhbal pleaded guilty in February 25, 29, 2019. He 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,” CARB officials said.

“CARB’s highly experienced and capable enforcement team performs thousands of inspections annually to ensure compliance with air pollution laws,” said CARB’s Enforcement Division Chief Todd Sax. “All regulated parties must submit to an inspection when directed to do so by our inspectors. The outrageous action of this driver could have severely injured our inspector or others in the area as he attempted to avoid the inspection. Drivers should know that every incident like this assault will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and our inspectors will continue to enforce California’s strict policies to help protect public health and clean our air.”