An undocumented truck driver from Stockton, California, is facing three counts of vehicular homicide and deportation after an unauthorized U-turn on Florida’s Turnpike resulted in three deaths last week.
What happened: Harjinder Singh, 28, was operating a commercial semi-truck when he attempted a U-turn in a restricted “official use only” section of the Turnpike on Aug. 12, approximately 50 miles north of West Palm Beach. The maneuver caused his trailer to jackknife across all northbound lanes. A 2015 black Chrysler Town & Country minivan traveling in the middle lane then collided with the truck, killing all three van occupants. The two passengers were pronounced dead at the crash site, while the driver, who was airlifted to HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital in Fort Pierce, died later in the afternoon.
About Singh: Singh, originally from India, entered the U.S. in 2018 through the Mexican border and later obtained a commercial driver’s license in California. The state is among 19 others, along with the District of Columbia, that issue licenses to residents regardless of their immigration status. His federal work authorization was initially denied in September 2020 during President Donald Trump’s first term, but was approved in June 2021 under the Biden administration.
Following the crash, Singh and his passenger Harneet Singh, 25, flew to Sacramento before authorities issued an arrest warrant Friday. They took Singh into custody in Stockton without incident Saturday.
What authorities are saying: White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson told Fox News that the crash was “a devastating tragedy made even worse by the fact that it was totally preventable.” Florida Highway Patrol Executive Director Dave Kerner condemned Singh’s actions as “both shocking and criminal,” noting that three people lost their lives due to his “recklessness.” Meanwhile, Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin called issuing a commercial license to someone in the country illegally “asinine.”
What’s next: Singh appeared in San Joaquin County Superior Court on Tuesday, where he signed an extradition waiver and requested a court-appointed attorney with the help of a translator. Authorities have 30 days to transport him to Florida to face his charges. An Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainer has also been issued. He is expected to be deported following the conclusion of his state criminal case.
This story is part of The Rebel Yellow Newsletter — a bold weekly newsletter from the creators of NextShark, reclaiming our stories and celebrating Asian American voices.
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