LAKE WORTH, Fla. (CBS12) — Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has dispatched newly appointed Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins to California to extradite Harjinder Singh, the driver accused of a fatal crash on the Florida Turnpike that resulted in three deaths near Fort Pierce.
Singh, identified as an undocumented immigrant, allegedly made a U-turn in a restricted area on August 12, causing a minivan to collide with his semi-truck. All three passengers in the minivan—a 30-year-old man from Florida City, a 37-year-old woman from Pompano Beach, and a 54-year-old man from Miami—died at the scene.
During a press conference at Palm Beach State College, DeSantis criticized Singh’s ability to obtain commercial driver’s licenses in Washington and California, despite lacking English proficiency. “That was obviously a total disaster,” DeSantis said. “Should have never obviously been behind the wheel.”
Singh, who entered the U.S. illegally in 2018, faces three counts of vehicular homicide and is currently held on an ICE detainer in California, according to the San Joaquin County Jail.
Florida Highway Safety Executive Director Dave Kerner condemned Singh’s actions, highlighting the devastation caused to the victims’ families.
Lieutenant Collins is expected to take custody of Singh on Thursday morning.
This is a developing story. Updates will follow as more information becomes available.