Harjinder Singh, an illegal immigrant who entered the U.S. from Mexico in 2018, was charged with three counts of vehicular homicide after his semi-truck made an illegal U-turn on Florida’s Turnpike, killing three people in a minivan. Image credit: St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office
FORT PIERCE, Florida – A 28-year-old truck driver, Harjinder Singh, has been charged with three counts of vehicular homicide following a crash on Florida’s Turnpike that killed three people.
Singh, who entered the United States illegally via the Mexico border in 2018, attempted an illegal U-turn in a semi-truck, leading to the incident, according to Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) officials.
The crash occurred around 3 p.m. on August 12 near Fort Pierce in St. Lucie County. Singh, driving southbound, entered an “official use only” crossover and attempted a U-turn, blocking the roadway. A northbound minivan collided with the trailer, resulting in the deaths of three passengers: a 30-year-old man from Florida City, a 37-year-old woman from Pompano Beach, and a 54-year-old man from Miami. Singh survived and was arrested by FHP troopers.
Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) Executive Director Dave Kerner stated, “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.” An Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainer has been placed on Singh, and he will face deportation after his state charges are resolved.
Singh obtained his commercial driver’s license (CDL) in California, a state that allows undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses under Assembly Bill 60 (AB 60), enacted in 2013. A 2021 study by the Public Policy Institute of California found that AB 60 reduced the rate of uninsured drivers by 34%.
A viral video of the incident has prompted criticism on social media, with users blaming California’s policies and Governor Gavin Newsom.
Singh is held at the St. Lucie County Jail without bail due to the charges and ICE detainer. The investigation continues.
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