Marcus Coleman’s young daughter suffered permanent disabilities after a devastating Southern California crash. The California father delivered an emotional testimony before lawmakers this week and accused politicians of offering sympathy while failing to address the public safety failure.
Why did the crash become part of the sanctuary policy debate?
The law restricts state and local law enforcement agencies from investigating or detaining people solely for federal immigration enforcement purposes. California became a sanctuary state in 2017 after then-Governor Jerry Brown signed Senate Bill 54, also known as the California Values Act.
Dalilah Coleman was severely injured in a 2024 tractor-trailer crash in Southern California, according to reports. Authorities said the truck driver, identified as Partap Singh, was travelling at about 60 mph and failed to stop for traffic in a construction zone. Because of the demands of caring for Dalilah and his nine children, he said he stopped working as a truck driver.
Marcus’s daughter, Dalilah, suffered injuries that changed her life permanently. Marcus described the incident during a House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement hearing focused on sanctuary policies. Dalilah has since been diagnosed with diplegic cerebral palsy, global developmental delay and will need lifelong therapy. “I’m no longer truck driving. I no longer make the money that we used to make.
Her father said the family has faced years of medical challenges while caring for her. The crash left her unable to walk, talk, eat orally, or attend kindergarten as planned, according to Marcus. Coleman told lawmakers that the accident also affected his ability to support his family financially. I’m now pinching pennies,” Coleman said during the hearing. “Not one of you guys have ever sat there and seen me in the hallways and said, ‘Hey, sorry about your daughter,’” Coleman said.
