Migrant driving semi-truck in crash that killed 3 was in the U.S. illegally: FHP
A semi-truck driver who made a “reckless” U-turn on the busy Florida Turnpike, causing a minivan to slam and crumble underneath the 18-wheeler’s trailer, is responsible for the deaths of the three people inside the car, troopers said Saturday. Authorities also revealed the driver was in the country illegally.
Harjinder Singh is facing three counts of vehicular homicide for the Tuesday crash in St. Lucie County, the Florida Highway Patrol said. In addition to the criminal charges, he was also issued an immigration detainer.
During their investigation, troopers discovered Singh crossed the Mexican Border illegally in 2018. Then, sometime after, he obtained a commercial driver’s license in California.
“The actions taken by [Singh] while operating a commercial tractor-trailer are both shocking and criminal,” said Dave Kerner, executive director of Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. “Three people lost their lives as a result of his recklessness, and countless friends and family members will experience the pain of their loss forever.”
The deceased have not been named but are known to be a 30-year-old Florida City man, a 37-year-old Pompano Beach woman and a 54-year-old Miami man, Treasure Coast Newspapers reported.
On Tuesday, Singh was driving the semi-truck in the right lane when he tried to make a U-turn at an “official use only” area, crossing over into the left lane where the mini-van was approaching, authorities said.
The minivan could not avoid the truck’s trailer, which blocked the entire road, wedging the car underneath it.
Dash camera video from inside the semi-truck has surfaced on social media, showing Singh making the illegal U-turn and the ensuing collision.
“Harjinder Singh is in custody...he will no longer be able to damage and destroy the lives of Floridians and visitors,” Kerner said. “At the conclusion of his state charges, he will be deported.”
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