Florida Lt. Gov. blasts California while extraditing truck driver in fatal crash
Florida’s new lieutenant governor, Jay Collins, used one of his first public appearances in office Thursday to launch a blistering attack on California’s immigration and licensing policies as federal agents prepared to extradite a truck driver accused in a crash that killed three South Floridians.
Collins, 49, sworn in last week, spoke outside Stockton Metropolitan Airport before joining Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers on the tarmac as Harjinder Singh was escorted onto a plane bound for Florida. Wearing a navy blue suit and striped tie, Collins stood alone in front of TV cameras before walking to the tarmac, where ICE agents led Singh — in jeans and a white shirt — toward a waiting plane.
Singh, 28, who has lived in California, faces three vehicular homicide charges in Florida after authorities say his reckless driving on the Florida Turnpike caused a crash that killed three people in St. Lucie County, near Fort Pierce. Singh tried to make a U-turn in an “official use only” area of the Turnpike, leading him to block the highway’s northbound lanes. A minivan slammed into the 18-wheeler, killing its three occupants.
The Florida Highway Patrol, which is leading the crash investigation, 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. FHP did not release their names.
Singh and a San Joaquin County judge signed his extradition papers Tuesday afternoon at San Joaquin County Superior Court.
“Three lives lost because of Gavin Newsom, because of California’s failed policies,” Collins said. “We’re done with that.”
The lieutenant governor, a retired Green Beret who lost a leg in combat, described himself as a “God-fearing, gun-loving, freedom-defending, one-legged retired Green Beret” and vowed to personally see Singh returned to Florida. “This isn’t politics as usual,” Collins said. “Leadership is getting on the ground and saying the hard things.”
Collins accused California of enabling Singh to obtain a commercial driver’s license in 2018, he said, despite Singh failing basic English proficiency and road knowledge requirements. California officials have countered that Singh obtained his license legally after receiving a federal work permit in 2021.
READ MORE: How did truck driver in fatal Turnpike crash get license if not legal resident?
Collins tied the case to broader criticisms of immigration and sanctuary policies in California. “How many more lives have to be lost because of Gavin Newsom’s failed policies? Because of fentanyl, because of gangs, because of rampant disregard for American citizens,” Collins said. “In Florida, we do just the opposite. It’s not about words, it’s about deeds.”
The press conference drew several television outlets but no California officials appeared alongside Collins.
When asked by reporters why he needed to escort Singh, Collins said: “This is about leadership. We care about our citizens’ lives, and I’m tired of other governors failing to step up.”
READ MORE: Trucking company in fatal Turnpike crash: unsafe trucks, unlicensed drivers, records show
Collins’ visit comes amid speculation about his political ambitions in Florida. He invoked both President Donald Trump and Gov. Ron DeSantis during his remarks, echoing national Republican talking points on immigration and border security.
The event underscored the contrast between Florida’s and California’s approaches to immigration — and served as a high-profile debut for a lieutenant governor who suggested Thursday he has no plans to stay quiet in his new role.
“We’re here to make sure that freedom remains, that justice is served, and the rule of law is held accountable,” Collins said.
