A fatal crash on Florida’s Turnpike that killed three South Floridians has ignited a heated immigration debate. Authorities revealed that the truck driver, Harjinder Singh, entered the U.S. illegally in 2018 and later obtained a commercial license. Troopers initially let him leave the scene, raising questions about Florida’s immigration enforcement despite Gov. Ron DeSantis’s crackdown.
The Fatal Turnpike Crash
A semi-truck driver caused a deadly accident on Florida’s Turnpike that killed three South Floridians, authorities confirmed. Harjinder Singh, 28, allegedly made a sudden U-turn in front of a minivan on August 12, leading to a devastating collision. He now faces three counts of vehicular homicide and three counts of manslaughter.
Immigration Status Overlooked for Days
Despite being deputized to enforce immigration laws, Florida Highway Patrol troopers did not question Singh’s immigration status for two days. Singh, an Indian citizen, initially showed a valid California commercial driver’s license. He was also cleared in a federal database check, which did not immediately flag his immigration case.
Discovery of Illegal Entry
It was only on August 14 that troopers contacted Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Records revealed Singh had entered the U.S. illegally through Mexico in 2018 but was released on bond while awaiting an asylum hearing scheduled for 2027. Although in the country legally under pending asylum, his immigration background quickly became a political flashpoint.
Dashboard Video Changed the Case
The breakthrough came after a tow yard employee spotted Singh’s dashcam video posted on a Facebook account called “Truckers Wall of Shame.” The footage prompted authorities to issue an arrest warrant on August 15. By then, Singh had already flown back to California but was extradited to Florida days later.
Victims of the Crash
The victims were identified as 37-year-old Faniola Joseph, 54-year-old Rodrigue Dor, and 30-year-old driver Herby Dufresne. Joseph and Dor died at the scene, while Dufresne later died in the hospital.
Licensing and English Proficiency Issues
According to federal records, Singh failed an English Language Proficiency test and struggled to identify basic road signs. His licensing history has also raised concerns: initially issued in Washington in 2023, later renewed in California despite his immigration status.
Political Fallout and Blame Game
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis quickly seized on the case, calling Singh an “illegal immigrant” and blaming “sanctuary states” for allowing him to hold a license. His newly appointed lieutenant governor, Jay Collins, personally escorted Singh’s extradition in a move criticized as a political photo op. California officials pushed back, accusing Florida of mishandling the case.
Gaps in Immigration Enforcement
Although more than 90% of Florida Highway Patrol troopers are trained to enforce federal immigration laws, Singh was initially cleared because not all immigration cases appear in federal crime databases. ICE supervisors must often confirm pending cases manually, a step that came too late in Singh’s case.
Witness Accounts of the Crash
Witnesses reported seeing Singh attempt the U-turn from the northbound shoulder, giving the minivan little chance to avoid impact. Singh’s brother, Harneet Singh, who was in the truck, was later arrested by DHS as an undocumented immigrant. Witnesses also described seeing Singh try to break the windows of the minivan with a hammer after the crash.