Manmeet Singh, the man accused of killing a Baton Rouge woman in a wrong-way crash on I-10, has been issued a $500,000 bond by a judge in St. John Parish. The bond follows his arrest after a months-long manhunt that was brought to light through an investigative report by the WAFB I-TEAM.
Charges and Court Appearance
On Wednesday, Singh entered not guilty pleas to several charges, including vehicular homicide, reckless operation, and improper driving on a roadway. According to court records, the judge set his bond at $500,000 for the vehicular homicide charge. Singh also received $5,000 bonds for the reckless operation and improper driving charges.
Months on the Run
Singh had been on the run for six months before being located by the Louisiana State Police, with assistance from U.S. Marshals, in Madison, Mississippi. After waiving extradition, he was transported back to Louisiana, where he was booked into jail.
Singh’s arrest came shortly after the WAFB I-TEAM aired an exclusive investigative report about his months-long evasion. Singh was indicted for driving under the influence (DUI) and involved in the tragic crash that killed 21-year-old Patricia Saidu of Baton Rouge.
The Fatal Crash
The fatal crash took place last September on I-10 in LaPlace when Singh, driving under the influence, drove the wrong way and collided head-on with Saidu’s vehicle. Both cars caught fire, and Saidu tragically died at the scene.
Saidu had recently graduated from Xavier University of Louisiana and had ambitions of becoming a pediatrician. She came from a family of doctors, and her untimely death left a significant impact on her family, who described her as having dedicated her life to helping children—a dream that was cut short.
Singh’s Medical Condition and Evasion
Following the crash, Singh was seriously injured and airlifted to a New Orleans hospital. Authorities attempted to arrest him in the days after the incident, but his medical condition delayed their efforts. When officers returned to follow up, Singh had already been discharged from the hospital. Investigators went to his home but found no trace of him, and he remained at large for months.
Investigative Findings
Medical records previously obtained by the WAFB I-TEAM revealed that Singh’s blood alcohol content (BAC) at the time of the crash was more than twice the legal limit. This evidence further supports the charges against him and highlights the severity of the situation.
Singh’s arrest marks the end of a long search for justice for Saidu’s family, who have been waiting for accountability since the tragic crash.
