Truck Driver Charged with Vehicular Homicide in Fatal Florida Turnpike Crash; Faces Deportation
A semi-truck driver has been arrested and charged with three counts of vehicular homicide following a deadly crash on the Florida Turnpike that claimed the lives of three people. Harjinder Singh, 34, an Indian national who entered the United States illegally in 2018, allegedly attempted an unauthorized U-turn, leading to the tragic incident.
Authorities have confirmed that Singh will face deportation proceedings after his state criminal charges are resolved.The crash occurred around 3 p.m. on August 12 near Fort Pierce in St. Lucie County.
According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), Singh was operating a commercial tractor-trailer when he tried to make a U-turn in an area designated for official use only. This maneuver caused the trailer to jackknife across the northbound lanes, blocking traffic. A Chrysler Town & Country minivan traveling northbound collided with the trailer, becoming wedged underneath it.
All three occupants of the minivan—whose identities have not yet been publicly released pending family notifications—were pronounced dead at the scene.Dashcam footage from inside Singh’s truck, which has circulated widely online, captured the moment of impact. The video shows Singh calmly executing the turn before the collision, after which he exits the vehicle appearing unfazed as debris scatters across the highway. Singh, who sustained no serious injuries, was detained at the scene.
Investigators from the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), in collaboration with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), determined that Singh had crossed the U.S.-Mexico border illegally near San Ysidro, California, on September 20, 2018. He was apprehended by Border Patrol and processed for expedited removal but claimed a credible fear of returning to India, leading to his release on a $5,000 immigration bond in January 2019 with a Notice to Appear in immigration court. Singh has remained in ongoing immigration proceedings since then.Despite his immigration status, Singh obtained a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) in California shortly after his release.
FLHSMV Executive Director Dave Kerner described Singh’s actions as “shocking and criminal,” stating, “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.” Kerner added that Singh is in custody on both state charges and immigration violations, emphasizing that he “will no longer be able to damage and destroy the lives of Floridians and visitors.”