FORT PIERCE, Fla. (CBS12) — A crash on Florida's Turnpike on August 12 left three people dead, raising concerns about an undocumented immigrant holding a valid commercial driver's license.
According to authorities, Harjinder Singh, 35, attempted an illegal U-turn near mile marker 170, resulting in his semi-truck colliding with a minivan. The impact killed all three passengers in the minivan. Singh faces three counts of vehicular homicide.
Singh, who is undocumented and originally from India, possessed a California commercial driver's license. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis criticized this situation, stating, “He should never have been here. He certainly shouldn't have gotten a commercial driver's license from California.”
Following the crash, Singh and a passenger fled to Sacramento. U.S. Marshals arrested him on August 16 in Stockton, California, after receiving a tip from the Florida Highway Patrol. He is currently detained in San Joaquin County Jail with an immigration detainer filed on behalf of ICE.
U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi condemned California's sanctuary policies, asserting they facilitated Singh's licensing. The incident has reignited discussions regarding immigration enforcement and public safety on highways.
Authorities have yet to release additional details regarding the ongoing investigation and recovery efforts.