Latest news with #CaliforniaCommercialDriver'sHandbook
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Yahoo
Stockton man thrust into national spotlight after fatal collision in Florida
Aug. 20—A long-haul truck driver accused of killing three people in a Florida traffic collision was arrested in San Joaquin County over the weekend. Newsweek reported on Monday that 28-year-old Stockton resident Harjinder Singh was arrested by U.S. Marshals on suspicion of three counts of vehicular homicide. He was booked into San Joaquin County Jail on Saturday, and appeared for arraignment Tuesday, according to inmate records. The Miami Herald reported that the Aug. 12 crash occurred when Singh attempted to make a U-turn in his 18-wheeler at an "official use only" area of the Florida Turnpike 19 miles north of Fort Pierce. The truck was blocking all the northbound lanes as a 2015 black Chrysler Town & Country minivan approached in the middle lane and slammed into the 18-wheeler, killing its three occupants. Two passengers in the minivan — a 37-year-old woman from Pompano Beach and a 54-year-old man from Miami — died at the scene. The driver, a 30-year-old man from Florida City, later died at a hospital, according to the Herald. Neither Singh or as his passenger, 25-year-old Harneet Singh of Yuba City, were injured in the collision. The pair flew to Sacramento on Aug. 13, as law enforcement does not make an arrest at the scene of vehicle crashes, the Herald reported. Vehicular homicide is punishable by as much as 15 years in prison in that state. According to Newsweek, federal immigration authorities have issued a detainer which could lead to deportation proceedings once the criminal case is concluded, reports state. In his monthly address to the public posted on social media, San Joaquin County Sheriff Pat Withrow said he was not able to hold Singh, an undocumented immigrant, on an ICE hold due to California law. "He's from out of the country, and he's here illegally, but California does not allow me to honor the ICE hold because he has committed no prior crimes," Withrow said. "We don't know if this was gross negligence or an intentional act." The Florida Highway Patrol told the Herald that Singh, who has a commercial driver's license in California, entered the United States illegally in 2018 through the Mexican border. It's unclear how he obtained a commercial driver's license, as California law requires applicants to show proof they are in the U.S. legally, among other requirements, according to the California Commercial Driver's Handbook. California's AB 60 allows undocumented immigrants to apply for a driver's license if they can provide proof of identity and residency. These licenses are marked "not for federal identification." Singh had been linked online to a 2019 crash in Arkansas that destroyed a historic bridge, but officials confirmed to Newsweek Monday he wasn't involved in that accident. That driver, also named Harjinder Singh, was fired by the US Citylink Corporation following the crash, reports state. News of the Florida crash went national, the Herald reported, with Singh being at the center of several social media posts by the Trump administration on Sunday and Monday, prompting a response from Gov. Gavin Newsom. In one post, Newsom's press office said the federal government issued Singh an employment authorization document during Trump's first term, which allows foreign nationals to work legally in the U.S. In response, Tricia McLaughlin, the assistant secretary for public affairs at the Department of Homeland Security, said Singh's work authorization was rejected in 2020 while Trump was in office and approved the following year under the Biden administration, the Herald reported. San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas filed a petition for a fugitive warrant against Singh on Tuesday. Singh agreed to waive extradition and awaiting transport to Florida. "Public safety depends on strong collaboration between states," Freitas said. "Our office has fulfilled its role in this matter, and Harjinder Singh will now face consequences in Florida."
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Trucking company in fatal Turnpike crash: unsafe trucks, unlicensed drivers, records show
The truck involved in last week's Florida Turnpike crash that killed three South Floridians belonged to a company with 25 truck safety violations in the last 24 inspections and two drivers caught driving on suspended licenses in 2024. And, as of Tuesday morning, White Hawk Carriers, based in Ceres, California, appears to have lost its ability to do business outside of California. 'Insurance cancelled - NOT AUTHORIZED to operate as a MOTOR PROPERTY COMMON CARRIER,' reads White Hawk's U.S. DOT licensing and insurance entry. 'Not authorized' means White Hawk's out of the interstate property trucking business. But, that Tuesday morning change wasn't reflected in the U.S. Department of Transportation's Safety And Fitness Electronic Records (SAFER) snapshot of White Hawk, which said it remained 'authorized for property.' As of last Friday's website update, California's Department of Motor Vehicles says White Hawk Carriers, license No. 0484640, is still authorized for property moves within the state of California. White Hawk CEO Navneet Kaur hasn't returned a phone message from the Miami Herald. The company took down its Facebook page Monday. Google now lists White Hawk as 'permanently closed.' READ MORE: Truck driver in deadly Florida turnpike crash booked in California jail What is White Hawk Carriers? Much of the national conversation over the Aug. 12 St. Lucie County crash has focused on how driver Harjinder Singh acquired a commercial driver's license in California despite being an undocumented immigrant. California law stipulates that semi-truck drivers must provide a document that proves they are in the U.S. legally, among other requirements, according to the California Commercial Driver's Handbook. Florida Highway Patrol says Singh entered the United States illegally via Mexico in 2018. U.S. DOT Secretary Sean Duffy said Tuesday on social media that there would be a federal investigation of White Hawk and Singh and that Washington [state] also issued Singh a full-term commercial driver's license. 'Asylum seekers or illegal aliens are NOT allowed to receive this!' Duffy said they are also looking into how Singh got a commercial driver's license in California. READ MORE: How did truck driver in fatal Turnpike crash get license if not legal resident? According to Florida Highway Patrol, a 37-year-old Pompano Beach woman and a 54-year-old Miami man died where the 2015 Chrysler Town & Country minivan crashed into improperly U-turning truck. The 30-year-old from Florida City, who was driving the Chrysler, died after being airlifted to a hospital. California Gov. Gavin Newsom and the Trump Administration spent Sunday and Monday arguing on social media who was responsible for Singh being in the country and having an employment authorization document. But, trucking websites quickly put a spotlight on White Hawk Carriers, which California state records say Kaur, the CEO, registered with the state in March 2016 and runs out of a Ceres house. Before White Hawk, Kaur ran White Star Trucking out of a Modesto house from March 2013 until letting its registration end in December 2016. Inspection statistics for White Hawk drivers Trucking safety records are compiled on two federal government websites: the SAFER company snapshot and the Federal Motor Carriers' Safety Administration Safety Measurement System (SMS). The U.S. DOT also has a site detailing a company's licensing and insurance status. READ MORE: Unlicensed moves, forgery, extortion and fraud by a Florida mover, state says Both the SAFER snapshot and SMS list inspection numbers for trucking companies. The SMS breakdowns, overall, are more detailed. SMS says on Jan. 26, 2024, a White Hawk driver was busted in Texas 'driving a commercial motor vehicle while the commercial driver's license is suspended for a non-safety-related reason...' A month later, on Feb. 28, 2024, a White Hawk driver got caught 'driving a commercial motor vehicle while disqualified. Suspended for safety-related or unknown reason...' SMS also shows nine incidents of unsafe driving by White Hawk drivers in the last two years, not counting the Aug. 12 crash, which hasn't been included yet: inattentive or distracted driving; not using hazard warning lights; lane-restriction violation; improper lane change; failure to stay in the lane; not moving over for emergency vehicles; speeding in a work zone; and twice caught speeding 6 to 10 mph over the limit. SAFER says out of 67 roadside driver inspections of White Hawk Carriers' trucks, there were violations nine times that caused the driver to be taken out of service. That's 13.4% of the inspections; the national average, as of July 25, was 6.67%. Broken brakes and other White Hawk truck problems SMS shows 24 inspections of White Hawk Carriers' trucks since June 23, 2024, 12 of which had zero violations. But, 25 violations were packed into the other dozen inspections, some of which took trucks out of service. Among the violations: At least 20% of the brakes on the truck were defective on trucks inspected on June 23, 2024, June 27, 2024, April 16, 2025. Leaking or underinflated tires on trucks inspected on Oct. 30, 2024, and Sept. 2, 2024. 'Cargo — vehicle components or dunnage not secured,' sidelined trucks on June 3, 2025 and April 20, 2025.
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Miami Herald
Truck driver in deadly Florida turnpike crash booked in California jail
The semi-truck driver who caused a crash on the Florida Turnpike that killed three South Floridians was jailed in California days after the crash, officials confirmed Tuesday. Harjinder Singh, 28, was booked into the San Joaquin County Jail Sunday afternoon, California jail records show, following last Tuesday's crash. Singh, who was denied bail, is set to appear in court at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, California time, at the Stockton Courthouse in San Joaquin County, according to jail records. Typically, law enforcement does not make an arrest at the scene. 'If there is a fatality associated with a car accident, investigative authorities work to make sure that all evidence is gathered before any arrests are made,' according to the Spatz Law Firm in Miami. The Aug. 12 crash occurred when Singh attempted to make a U-turn in his 18-wheeler at an 'official use only' area of the Turnpike, 19 miles north of Fort Pierce in St. Lucie County. A 25-year-old man, whom authorities have not identified, was a passenger. Singh was blocking all the northbound lanes as a 2015 black Chrysler Town & Country minivan approached in the middle lane, FHP said. The van slammed into the 18-wheeler, killing its three occupants. READ MORE: Trucking company in fatal Turnpike crash: unsafe trucks, unlicensed drivers, records show On Tuesday, FHP identified the deceased as a 30-year-old Florida City man, who was driving, and two passengers: a 37-year-old Pompano Beach woman and a 54-year-old Miami man. The two passengers were pronounced dead at the scene, while the driver was airlifted to HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital in Fort Pierce. He died around 5:15 p.m. later that day, according to FHP. Singh, who has a commercial driver's license in California, entered the United States illegally in 2018 through the Mexican border, according to FHP. It's unclear how he obtained a commercial driver's license, as Californa law requires the license holder to show proof they are in the U.S. legally, among other requirements, according to the California Commercial Driver's Handbook. Singh lives in Stockton, a city in San Joaquin County. READ MORE: How did truck driver in fatal Turnpike crash get license if not legal resident? 'The actions taken by the Defendant while operating a commercial tractor-trailer are both shocking and criminal,' FHP Executive Director Dave Kerner said in a statement Saturday. 'Three people lost their lives as a result of his recklessness, and countless friends and family members will experience the pain of their loss forever.' Singh will be deported at the conclusion of his state charges, Kerner added. He is facing three counts of vehicular homicide, the Florida Highway Patrol said. In addition to the criminal charges, he was also issued an immigration detainer by federal agents. News of the crash went national, with Singh being at the center of several socials media posts by the Trump administration on Sunday and Monday, prompting a response from California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom. In one post, Newsom's press office said the federal government issued Singh — who entered the country during Trump's first term — an employment authorization document, which allows foreign nationals to work legally in the U.S In response, Tricia McLaughlin, the assistant secretary for public affairs at the Department of Homeland Security, said Singh's work authorization was rejected in September 2020 while Trump was in office and approved in June 2021 under the Biden administration.
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Miami Herald
Trucking company in fatal Turnpike crash: unsafe trucks, unlicensed drivers, records show
The truck involved in last week's Florida Turnpike crash that killed three South Floridians belonged to a company with 25 truck safety violations in the last 24 inspections and two drivers caught driving on suspended licenses in 2024. And, as of Tuesday morning, White Hawk Carriers, based in Ceres, California, appears to have lost its ability to do business outside of California. 'Insurance cancelled - NOT AUTHORIZED to operate as a MOTOR PROPERTY COMMON CARRIER,' reads White Hawk's U.S. DOT licensing and insurance entry. 'Not authorized' means White Hawk's out of the interstate property trucking business. But, that Tuesday morning change wasn't reflected in the U.S. Department of Transportation's Safety And Fitness Electronic Records (SAFER) snapshot of White Hawk, which said it remained 'authorized for property.' As of last Friday's website update, California's Department of Motor Vehicles says White Hawk Carriers, license No. 0484640, is still authorized for property moves within the state of California. White Hawk CEO Navneet Kaur hasn't returned a phone message from the Miami Herald. The company took down its Facebook page Monday. Google now lists White Hawk as 'permanently closed.' Much of the national conversation over the Aug. 12 St. Lucie County crash has focused on how driver Hijander Singh acquired a commercial driver's license in California despite being an undocumented immigrant. California law stipulates that semi-truck drivers must provide a document that proves they are in the U.S. legally, among other requirements, according to the California Commercial Driver's Handbook. Florida Highway Patrol says Singh entered the United States illegally via Mexico in 2018. READ MORE: How did truck driver in fatal Turnpike crash get license if not legal resident? The Turnpike crash led to the death of three people. The deceased have not been identified publicly but are known to be a 30-year-old Florida City man, a 37-year-old Pompano Beach woman and a 54-year-old Miami man, Treasure Coast Newspapers reported. California Gov. Gavin Newsom and the Trump Administration spent Sunday and Monday arguing on social media who was responsible for Singh being in the country and having an employment authorization document. But, trucking websites quickly put a spotlight on White Hawk Carriers, which California state records say Kaur, the CEO, registered with the state in March 2016 and runs out of a Ceres house. Before White Hawk, Kaur ran White Star Trucking out of a Modesto house from March 2013 until letting its registration end in December 2016. Trucking safety records are compiled on two federal government websites: the (SAFER) company snapshot and the Federal Motor Carriers' Safety Administration Safety Measurement System (SMS). The U.S. DOT also has a site detailing a company's licensing and insurance status. READ MORE: Unlicensed moves, forgery, extortion and fraud by a Florida mover, state says Both the SAFER snapshot and the Safety Management System (SMS) list inspection numbers for trucking companies. The SMS breakdowns, overall, are more detailed. SMS says on Jan. 26, 2024, a White Hawk driver was busted in Texas 'driving a commercial motor vehicle while the commercial driver's license is suspended for a non-safety-related reason...' A month later, on Feb. 28, 2024, a White Hawk driver got caught 'driving a commercial motor vehicle while disqualified. Suspended for safety-related or unknown reason...' SMS also shows nine incidents of unsafe driving by White Hawk drivers in the last two years, not counting the Aug. 12 crash, which hasn't been included yet: inattentive or distracted driving; not using hazard warning lights; lane-restriction violation; improper lane change; failure to stay in the lane; not moving over for emergency vehicles; speeding in a work zone; and twice caught speeding 6 to 10 mph over the limit. SAFER says out of 67 roadside driver inspections of White Hawk Carriers' trucks, there were violations nine times that caused the driver to be taken out of service. That's 13.4% of the inspections; the national average, as of July 25, was 6.67%. SMS shows 24 inspections of White Hawk Carriers' trucks since June 23, 2024, 12 of which had zero violations. But, 25 violations were packed into the other dozen inspections, some of which took trucks out of service. Among the violations: At least 20% of the brakes on the truck were defective on trucks inspected on June 23, 2024, June 27, 2024, April 16, 2025. Leaking or underinflated tires on trucks inspected on Oct. 30, 2024, and Sept. 2, 2024. 'Cargo — vehicle components or dunnage not secured,' sidelined trucks on June 3, 2025 and April 20, 2025.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
How did truck driver in fatal Turnpike crash get license if not legal resident?
The semi-truck driver who investigators say made a 'reckless' U-turn on the busy Florida Turnpike, causing a crash that killed three South Floridians obtained his commercial driver's license in California — despite being undocumented. The Aug. 12 crash occurred when Harjinder Singh tried to make a U-turn at an 'official use only' area of the Turnpike about 19 miles north of Fort Pierce in St. Lucie County, crossing over into the left lane where the mini van was approaching, according to Florida Highway Patrol. The minivan slammed and crumbled underneath the 18-wheeler's trailer. The crash happened around 3 p.m. The deceased have not been identified publicly but are known to be a 30-year-old Florida City man, a 37-year-old Pompano Beach woman and a 54-year-old Miami man, Treasure Coast Newspapers reported. To get a California commercial learner's permit, which you need before getting a commercial driver's license, prospective semi-truck drivers must provide a document that proves they are in the U.S. legally, among other requirements, according to the California Commercial Driver's Handbook. Acceptable documentation for residency includes a renter's lease agreement, a deed or title to residential property, a mortgage statement or home utility bill. It's unclear how Harjinder Singh obtained a California commercial driver's license if he wasn't living in the country legally. READ MORE: Migrant driving semi-truck in crash that killed 3 was in the U.S. illegally: FHP Singh entered the country by crossing the Mexico border in 2018, FHP says. The crash was the focus of several posts made by the Trump administration on Sunday and Monday, prompting a response from California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom. In one post, Newsom's press office said the federal government issued Singh — who entered the country during Trump's first term — an employment authorization document, which allows foreign nationals to work legally in the U.S. In response, Tricia McLaughlin, the assistant secretary for public affairs at the Department of Homeland Security, said Singh's work authorization was rejected in September 2020 while Trump was in office and approved in June 2021 while Biden was in office. Singh is facing three counts of vehicular homicide as a result of the crash, the Florida Highway Patrol said. In addition to the criminal charges, he was also issued an immigration detainer by federal agents. Singh was not being held in jail in St. Lucie on Monday, records show. His criminal case did not appear on the county's court records as of Monday morning, nor has his name showed up in federal court records or in the state's Bureau of Prisons prisoner database. Miami Herald staff writers Devoun Cetoute, David Goodhue and David Neal contributed to this report
