Fatal Crash on Florida Turnpike Involves Undocumented Truck Driver
FORT PIERCE, Fla. (CBS12) — A crash on the Florida Turnpike last week resulted in three fatalities, with authorities confirming the truck driver involved is undocumented.
The incident occurred on August 12 near mile marker 171. Harjinder Singh, 28, allegedly made an illegal U-turn using an “Official Use Only” access point, causing his tractor-trailer to block all northbound lanes. A minivan, unable to stop in time, collided with the trailer, resulting in the deaths of all three occupants, whose identities have not been disclosed.
Singh was arrested at the scene and is facing three counts of vehicular homicide. He remains in the St. Lucie County Jail, with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) set to take custody following his state case.
Federal records indicate that Singh entered the U.S. illegally in 2018 and obtained a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) in California, despite lacking legal status. California's Assembly Bill 60 allows undocumented immigrants to acquire driver's licenses, which has drawn criticism from officials following this incident.
Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Executive Director Dave Kerner called Singh's actions “shocking and criminal.” The Department of Homeland Security criticized California's licensing policy as a factor in the crash, stating that licensing standards need urgent reevaluation.
Florida law prohibits commercial trucks from using “Official Use Only” turnarounds, and authorities maintain this infraction directly led to the deadly collision.
An investigation is ongoing, focusing on broader implications for truck driver licensing practices.