Trucking Company Loses License After Fatal Florida Crash Involving Illegal U-Turn

On August 12, 2025, a horrific crash on Florida’s Turnpike in St. Lucie County claimed the lives of three South Florida residents, sparking outrage, political debates, and serious questions about commercial driver licensing practices. The driver, Harjinder Singh, a 28-year-old Indian national who entered the U.S. illegally in 2018, was charged with three counts of vehicular homicide after attempting an unauthorized U-turn in a semi-truck, causing a minivan to collide with his trailer.

The tragedy has led to the revocation of the operating license of the trucking company that employed Singh, alongside broader scrutiny of how he obtained a CDL in California despite his immigration status.

The Crash: A Preventable Tragedy

The incident occurred near mile marker 170 on Florida’s Turnpike, when Singh, driving a 2024 International semi-truck towing a box trailer, attempted a U-turn in an area designated for “official use only.” Dashcam footage captured the chilling moment when Singh’s truck blocked all northbound lanes, leaving a Chrysler Town & Country minivan with no time to stop. The minivan crashed into the trailer, becoming wedged underneath.

Two passengers—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, was airlifted to HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital but succumbed to his injuries. Singh and his 25-year-old passenger from Yuba City, California, were uninjured.

Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) Executive Director Dave Kerner called Singh’s actions “shocking and criminal,” emphasizing that the reckless maneuver directly caused the loss of three lives. The U.S. Marshals Service arrested Singh in Stockton, California, on August 16, 2025, after he fled to Sacramento the day after the crash. An immigration detainer was issued by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), ensuring Singh remains in custody pending his state prosecution and eventual deportation.

Company License Revoked

The trucking company that employed Singh has faced severe consequences, with its operating license revoked, as reported in posts on X. This action reflects growing scrutiny over the company’s hiring practices, particularly how it failed to verify Singh’s qualifications and legal status. While the company’s name has not been publicly disclosed in the provided sources, the revocation suggests that authorities found significant lapses in oversight, potentially including inadequate background checks or failure to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations for commercial drivers.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets strict standards for CDL issuance, requiring proof of lawful presence in the U.S., such as a U.S. passport, green card, or valid work authorization. Singh, however, obtained CDLs in both California and Washington despite his illegal entry in 2018. This has raised questions about whether fraudulent documentation, administrative oversights, or loopholes in state licensing processes allowed him to secure these licenses.

Singh’s Background and Licensing Controversy

Singh crossed the U.S.-Mexico border illegally in September 2018 and was arrested by Border Patrol. During immigration proceedings, he claimed a fear of returning to India, leading to his release on a $5,000 bond in January 2019. His work authorization was denied under the Trump administration in September 2020 but approved under the Biden administration in June 2021, with a reissuance on April 9, 2025. This federal Employment Authorization Document (EAD) may have enabled Singh to exploit a loophole in California’s CDL issuance process, which allows licenses for individuals with lawful work authorization, even if they lack permanent residency.

Further investigation revealed Singh’s inadequate qualifications. He failed English proficiency and road sign tests, answering only two out of 12 questions correctly in an English language test and identifying just one of four highway signs. Despite these failures, he was granted CDLs, prompting Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to call the crash a “preventable tragedy” caused by “reckless decisions and despicable failures.” Critics argue that California’s policies, as one of 19 states issuing CDLs regardless of immigration status, contributed to this lapse.

Political Fallout and Public Reaction

The case has ignited a political firestorm, with the Trump administration and California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office trading blame. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) criticized Newsom, accusing California’s “sanctuary” policies of enabling Singh to obtain a CDL. Newsom’s office countered that Singh entered the U.S. during Trump’s presidency and was issued a federal work permit, deflecting responsibility back to federal authorities. This back-and-forth has fueled debates over immigration policies and CDL regulations.

Public sentiment, as seen in posts on X and Reddit, reflects anger and calls for accountability. Truckers on Reddit emphasized that U-turns are strictly prohibited in the industry, with many companies using GPS and camera systems to flag such maneuvers. One commenter noted, “No freight is worth being on time if it results in the possibility of this.” Others demanded stricter enforcement and penalties for negligent drivers and the states or companies that enable them.

Legal and Safety Implications

The crash raises critical questions about liability. Families of the victims may pursue legal action against Singh, the trucking company, and potentially California’s DMV for issuing the CDL. If the company failed to verify Singh’s documentation or training, it could face significant civil penalties. Additionally, the case has prompted calls for federal reforms to close CDL loopholes and enhance vetting processes.

This tragedy underscores the need for rigorous oversight in the trucking industry. As authorities investigate how Singh obtained his CDL and why the company employed him, the focus remains on preventing future losses. For now, the revocation of the company’s license and Singh’s impending prosecution serve as stark reminders of the human cost of negligence on America’s highways.