ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — An illegal immigrant was arrested Tuesday in connection with a fatal crash on Florida's Turnpike.
Authorities reported that a semi-truck attempted a U-turn in an “official use only” area, leading to a collision with a minivan. All three occupants of the minivan were killed. The victims have been identified as a 30-year-old man from Florida City, a 37-year-old woman from Pompano Beach, and a 54-year-old man from Miami.
The truck driver, Harjinder Singh, has been charged with three counts of vehicular homicide. At the time of the incident, Singh had a 25-year-old passenger in the vehicle. Authorities confirmed Singh illegally crossed the U.S.-Mexico border in 2018.
Grant Maxey, a commercial truck driver with 30 years of experience, criticized Singh's actions. “It's senseless. There's no reason,” he said. “He could have taken the next exit to avoid the crash.”
Dave Kerner, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, issued a statement about the crash, noting the profound impact on the victims' families. “Harjinder Singh is in custody on state vehicular homicide charges and immigration violations. He will no longer be able to damage and destroy the lives of Floridians and visitors,” Kerner stated.
Singh is currently held on an ICE detainer and will face deportation following the resolution of state charges.