Deadly Turnpike Crash Blamed on California Licensing 28-Year-Old Driver
FORT PIERCE, Fla. — On August 12, a truck driver’s illegal U-turn on Florida’s Turnpike resulted in a crash that killed three people, leading Florida officials to blame California for issuing his commercial driver’s license. The incident blocked all northbound lanes near Fort Pierce.
Authorities identified the driver as 28-year-old Harjinder Singh, who reportedly scored just 2 out of 12 on an English proficiency test following the crash. Among the deceased was 30-year-old Herby Dufresne, a Haitian father seeking work in the U.S. for his family. Witnesses stated Dufresne was a dedicated worker, leaving behind a mother and a young daughter.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis criticized California’s licensing practices, stating federal law necessitates that commercial drivers be legally present in the U.S. and proficient in English. In contrast, California officials asserted compliance with all federal regulations during the licensing of Singh.
The California DMV stated it prioritized safe driving through proper testing, affirming that Singh’s CDL was issued according to federal guidelines after verifying his legal presence. Investigators revealed that California conducted approximately 34,000 truck inspections this summer, with minimal English proficiency violations reported.
Following the crash, Singh faces felony charges of vehicular homicide and manslaughter, which could lead to significant prison time. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that California and other states might lose federal funding unless they enhance enforcement of English language proficiency standards for drivers.
This tragic event underscores the complexities of state licensing and federal safety regulations, prompting ongoing investigations and discussions among state officials.