Coach Clarence Nelson, a beloved basketball coach in California’s Inland Valley known for his kindness and impact on kids’ lives, tragically passed away on October 21, 2025.
Clarence and his wife, Lisa, died in a horrific crash on the I-10 Freeway in Ontario.
A speeding semi-truck smashed into their car, causing a fiery pileup that killed three people and injured four others. The news left the community heartbroken.
The crash happened around 1:10 p.m. near the Milliken Avenue exit, where the I-10 meets the I-15.
Eight vehicles were involved, including four semi-trucks, two pickups, and two cars.
Dashcam footage showed the red Freightliner truck, driven by 21-year-old Jashanpreet Singh, barreling into an SUV without braking.
The impact sparked fires and sent debris flying. Emergency crews worked for hours to put out the flames and clear the freeway, which stayed closed well into the evening.
“Coach was one of the best human beings I’ve ever met. Surely the best that anyone involved in Inland Valley high school basketball ever met.”
Via Facebook
Pat Palmer, a referee who worked Clarence’s games for nearly 30 years, shared a moving tribute on Facebook.
He didn’t recognize the name “Clarence Nelson” in news reports at first. Then he saw a photo and realized it was Coach Clarence.
For all those years, they never knew each other’s last names, but their bond was deep. Palmer said Clarence didn’t care about basketball itself.
It was always about the kids. He coached at schools like Garey High School and helped at Pomona High, where many students had little to nothing.
Clarence gave them everything: food, rides, advice, and love, without ever asking for thanks.
Palmer remembered walking into the Garey gym and feeling as if he were in Clarence’s home. Clarence greeted everyone with warmth: players, parents, coaches, and even refs who made bad calls. Palmer said-:
“I never saw him without a smile, Not even in the middle of a game. They became really good men, in part, because of Clarence,”
If you tried to praise him, he’d quickly pass the credit to his players or other coaches. Kids from tough backgrounds loved him, and he loved them back.
That love turned many of them into good, strong men.
Pomona High School posted a simple message on Facebook:
“RIP Coach Nelson and his wife.” They shared a photo of Clarence, full of life, from a past interview. Tributes flooded in online.
Former players talked about late-night practices that were really life lessons. Parents and friends mourned a man who made everyone feel special. “He left generations with the rarest glimpse of humanity and kindness,” Palmer wrote. Clarence’s legacy lives in every kid he guided through hard times.
The Truck Driver, Jashanpreet Singh, Came to the U.S. From India in 2022
Authorities say he was high on drugs during the crash, though they haven’t named the substance.
He crossed the U.S.-Mexico border illegally but later got work papers and a REAL ID to drive trucks.
Witnesses said he didn’t even try to stop. “It didn’t swerve. It just went straight in,” one onlooker told reporters.
The California Highway Patrol called the scene “catastrophic,” with car parts scattered everywhere. Singh was arrested for driving under the influence and vehicular manslaughter.
He faces three counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and one count of DUI causing injury.
He’s in custody without bail at West Valley Detention Center, with a court date on October 24 at Rancho Cucamonga Superior Court.
Immigration officials have placed a hold on him, meaning he’ll face federal custody if released.
This wasn’t the only recent tragedy involving an immigrant truck driver.
In August 2025, another driver, Harjinder Singh, caused a fatal crash in Florida with an illegal U-turn, killing three people.
That incident led the U.S. to stop issuing truck driver visas, a decision announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The third victim in the Ontario crash hasn’t been identified yet, as authorities are still notifying family.
Clarence’s loss feels personal to so many. Palmer ended his post with a thought that sticks: “Funny how you can think so much of a man and you never knew his last name.”
Coach Clarence didn’t need fame or recognition. He was a quiet giant, changing lives one kind act at a time.
As the Inland Valley grieves, his spirit remains in the gyms he filled with warmth, reminding us to share a little more love.
Rest in peace, Coach and Lisa. You’ll never be forgotten.
