On August 12, 2025, a devastating crash on Florida’s Turnpike near Fort Pierce claimed the lives of three people.
The driver responsible, Harjinder Singh, an illegal immigrant from India, made an illegal U-turn in a semi-truck, leading to a collision with a minivan.
Who Is Harjinder Singh?
Harjinder Singh is an Indian national who illegally entered the United States in 2018 by crossing the U.S.-Mexico border.
Despite his undocumented status, he obtained a commercial driver’s license (CDL) in California and worked as a truck driver.
Reports indicate he was employed by Herian Brothers Trucking Inc., a company based in Fresno, California, at the time of the crash. Singh’s LinkedIn profile lists him as a CDL A truck driver, though specific details about his employment history are limited.
A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) is a license required to operate large vehicles like semi-trucks, buses, or tractor-trailers in the U.S. It involves rigorous training, testing, and background checks to ensure drivers can safely handle heavy vehicles.
Each state sets its own rules for issuing CDLs, and in California, undocumented immigrants can apply for a driver’s license, including a CDL, under certain conditions.
California’s AB 60 law, enacted in 2015, allows undocumented residents to obtain driver’s licenses to promote road safety by ensuring all drivers are trained and tested.
To get a CDL, Singh likely provided proof of California residency and passed required written, skills, and driving tests.
However, federal regulations require CDL applicants to prove lawful presence in the U.S. for commercial licensing, raising questions about how Singh obtained his CDL.
Specific details about his application process remain unclear, but critics argue California’s lenient policies may have allowed loopholes.
Singh’s exact time driving with a CDL is not fully documented, but he likely held it for several years, given he entered the U.S. in 2018 and was working as a truck driver by 2025.
His LinkedIn profile suggests he was actively driving commercially by at least July 2024.
What Happened in the Crash?
On August 12, 2025, around 3 p.m., Singh was driving a semi-truck on Florida’s Turnpike in St. Lucie County, near Fort Pierce.
He attempted an illegal U-turn in an area marked for “official use only,” putting his truck directly in the path of a northbound Chrysler Town & Country minivan.
The minivan crashed into the truck, becoming lodged underneath it. The collision was catastrophic, leaving no chance for the minivan’s occupants to escape.
Who Were the Victims?
The crash killed three people in the minivan:
- A 37-year-old woman from Pompano Beach, Florida.
- A 54-year-old man from Miami, Florida.
- A 30-year-old driver from Florida City, Florida, who was rushed to HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital but later died.
Their identities have not been publicly released. The Florida Highway Patrol described the crash as one of the deadliest on the Turnpike in recent years.
The crash resulted from Singh’s reckless decision to attempt an illegal U-turn, which violated traffic laws and safety protocols.
Dashcam footage shared on social media showed the aftermath, with Singh appearing calm as he inspected the wreckage, fueling public outrage.
Authorities, including the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), called his actions “shocking and criminal.” The incident occurred in broad daylight on a busy highway, amplifying its impact.
Singh’s ability to drive a semi-truck stems from California’s policy of issuing licenses to undocumented immigrants.
Critics argue this policy prioritizes inclusivity over safety, while supporters say it ensures all drivers are trained, reducing unlicensed driving risks. The debate has intensified scrutiny of how states verify CDL applicants’ eligibility.
Legal Consequences for Singh
Singh was arrested on the spot and charged with three counts of vehicular homicide.
He is currently in custody with an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainer, meaning he faces deportation after his state charges are resolved.
FLHSMV Executive Director Dave Kerner emphasized that Singh’s actions caused irreparable harm and vowed he would face justice.
How Many Undocumented Immigrants Hold CDLs?
Exact numbers of undocumented immigrants with CDLs are hard to pin down, as federal and state data don’t always track this specifically.
However, a 2021 Pew Research Center report estimated 11 million unauthorized immigrants live in the U.S., with California hosting about 2 million. Since California allows undocumented residents to obtain driver’s licenses, including CDLs, thousands may hold such licenses.
A 2017 estimate suggested over 600,000 AB 60 licenses were issued in California, though not all were CDLs. Nationwide, no comprehensive data exists on undocumented immigrants with CDLs, but incidents like this highlight gaps in oversight.
For more on this, see Pew Research Center’s report on unauthorized immigrants.
Broader Implications and Public Reaction
The crash has reignited debates over:
- Immigration Policies: Critics, including some Florida officials, argue California’s licensing laws enable dangerous situations. Some have called for Florida to stop recognizing California-issued CDLs.
- Road Safety: The incident underscores the risks of untrained or reckless truck drivers, regardless of immigration status.
- Trucking Industry Practices: Social media posts have criticized companies like Herian Brothers Trucking for hiring drivers with questionable credentials, though no evidence suggests the company knew of Singh’s status.
- The tragedy has also prompted calls for stricter federal CDL regulations and better enforcement of immigration laws.
Harjinder Singh’s illegal U-turn in a semi-truck cost three lives, leaving families shattered and communities demanding answers.
While Singh faces vehicular homicide charges and deportation, the incident has exposed flaws in how CDLs are issued and monitored.
Reference: Pew Research Center, “Unauthorized Immigrant Population by State, 2021,” https://www.pewresearch.org.
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