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Three people died on the Florida Turnpike following an accident caused by Harjinder Singh, an undocumented immigrant truck driver who, according to the , reportedly obtained a commercial driver's license in California unlawfully as he did not even pass the English test.
The 28-year-old truck driver, responsible for the accident that occurred on August 12 when he attempted to make a U-turn in an area designated for "official use" on the highway, suspended an English language proficiency test, and answered only 2 out of 12 questions, correctly identifying 1 out of 4 traffic signals, during an interview with the department that issues driver's licenses in California.
On July 23, 2024, California issued the driver a limited-term commercial license without even having submitted proof of residency.
The case has generated controversy because, according to the California Commercial Driver's Manual, it is mandatory to present a document that proves legal residency in the United States.
This includes a rental contract, a deed or title of ownership for a home, a mortgage statement, or a utility bill.
Singh entered the country irregularly through the border with Mexico in 2018 and his work permit was initially denied in 2020, although it was approved later in 2021.
The U.S. Secretary of Transportation warned: "If you don't know how to speak our national language or read our traffic signs, you are not qualified to drive a truck. That's why, in May, Trump and I took steps to tighten penalties for failing to meet English requirements."
In a tweet published this Tuesday, he ordered that the driver and the company White Hawk Carrier involved in the fatal accident in Florida be investigated.
During the accident on August 12, the truck driver made a maneuver that blocked all the lanes, and a minivan traveling in the left lane collided with the trailer of the 18-wheeler, becoming trapped underneath.
The fatalities were identified as a 30-year-old man from Florida City, a 37-year-old woman from Pompano Beach, and a 54-year-old man from Miami. They all died at the scene, as confirmed by the Florida Highway Patrol.
After the accident, Singh faces three charges of vehicular homicide. However, as detailed by The Miami Herald, he was not listed as being detained in the St. Lucie jail nor did he appear in federal or state court records in the days following the incident, which has raised criticisms regarding the oversight and management of such cases.
The incident has become a topic of political debate. The Trump administration used it as an example of failures in the immigration system, while California Governor Gavin Newsom defended the legality of the process that allowed the truck driver to obtain his work authorization.
Frequently asked questions about the accident on the Florida Turnpike and the licensing system for immigrants
What caused the accident on the Florida Turnpike?
The accident was caused by Harjinder Singh, an undocumented immigrant truck driver, who made an illegal U-turn in an "official use" area of the highway, blocking all lanes and causing a minivan to collide with his truck. The illegal maneuver performed by Singh was the direct cause of the accident.
How did Harjinder Singh obtain his commercial driver's license?
Harjinder Singh irregularly obtained a commercial driver's license in California, despite being an undocumented immigrant. Obtaining a commercial license requires proving legal residency in the U.S., which Singh did not meet by entering the country irregularly.
What measures has the U.S. government taken following the accident?
After the accident, the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation ordered an investigation into the driver and the company involved. Additionally, sanctions for failing to meet English language requirements for commercial vehicle drivers have been tightened, as part of the Trump administration's policies.
What is the impact of the new language regulations on immigrant truck drivers?
The new regulations require truck drivers to demonstrate proficiency in English, which could jeopardize the licenses of those who are not fluent in the language. This particularly affects Spanish-speaking communities, including Cuban-American truck drivers, who face significant language barriers.
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