California trucker faces deportation after fatal crash on Florida turnpike
After the fatal crash, Singh flew back to California from Florida, according to investigators.
The Department of Homeland Security then moved to initiate deportation proceedings, citing the severity of the incident. Singh's legal status allows him to live and work in the U.S., but federal officials seek to revoke that status.
Here's what to know about the Harjinder Singh case.
Illegal U-turn leads to fatal crash on Florida Turnpike, authorities allege
On Aug. 12, Harjinder Singh, a 28-year-old truck driver from Stockton, was operating a 2024 International semi-tractor trailer on Florida's Turnpike near mile marker 171 in St. Lucie County.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), Singh attempted an illegal U-turn in an 'official use only' area, crossing all northbound lanes of traffic. A black 2015 Chrysler Town & Country minivan traveling in the inside lane was unable to avoid the trailer and collided with it, becoming wedged under the left side of the truck
Three people in the minivan died as a result of the crash:
A 30-year-old man from Florida City
A 37-year-old woman from Pompano Beach
A 54-year-old man from Miami
Two victims were pronounced dead at the scene, while the third died later at Lawnwood Hospital in Fort Pierce, Florida.
Singh appears in California court on a fugitive warrant
Harjinder Singh appeared before the San Joaquin County Superior Court in Stockton. During the hearing, Singh agreed to waive extradition and return to Florida to face three counts of vehicular homicide stemming from the Aug. 12 crash that killed three people.
What has the Trump administration said about the Singh case?
The Trump administration has strongly criticized California's role in the case of Harjinder Singh, the truck driver accused of causing a fatal crash in Florida. Officials from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Transportation (DOT) stated that Singh entered the United States illegally in 2018 and failed basic English and road sign tests during a post-crash investigation.
DHS noted that Singh's initial application for work authorization was denied under the Trump administration in September 2020, but was later approved under the Biden administration in June 2021
Federal officials argue that California's policies enabled Singh to obtain a commercial driver's license despite his immigration status and lack of language proficiency. The DOT is investigating whether the issuance of Singh's license complied with federal regulations, and Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier cited the incident as evidence of the need for stricter licensing and immigration enforcement.
California defends licensing process for truck driver in fatal crash
Gov. Gavin Newsom's office pushed back against criticism from the Trump administration following the arrest of Harjinder Singh, a truck driver accused of killing three people in a Florida crash. In a post on X, Newsom's press office said the federal government had already confirmed Singh's eligibility to work in the U.S. and issued him a work permit.
The California Department of Motor Vehicles said it followed all federal and state laws when issuing and renewing Singh's commercial driver's license. DMV spokesperson Jonathan Groveman said Singh's documents were verified through the federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements system and the federal employment authorization process. Singh's license is a federal REAL ID, which he was entitled to receive based on confirmation of his legal status.
Newsom accused the Department of Homeland Security of political motives and federal overreach. His administration has fought Trump-era immigration policies, including efforts to deport longtime residents and cut immigrants off from public services.
California has filed dozens of lawsuits over immigration, education funding, and data access. Newsom says the policies unfairly target the state's diverse population and weaken its sovereignty.
Victoria Franco of the Stockton Record and the USA TODAY Network contributed to this story.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: California trucker faces deportation after fatal Florida crash
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