Florida Truck Driver Charged with Vehicular Homicide After Fatal U-Turn Crash; ICE Involvement

A truck driver involved in a fatal crash on the Florida Turnpike has been charged with vehicular homicide after allegedly making an illegal U-turn that resulted in three deaths.

Details of the Crash

On August 12, 2025, the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) responded to a collision in St. Lucie County between a commercial semi-truck and a minivan. According to investigators, the driver of the truck, Harjinder Singh, attempted to execute a U-turn in an unauthorized location.

In a statement, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) said:

“Based upon our initial, but ongoing criminal investigation, it is evident that the driver of the commercial semi-truck recklessly, and without regard for the safety of others, attempted to execute a U-Turn utilizing an unauthorized location. As a result of his actions, the three occupants of the mini-van are now deceased.”

Singh was arrested at the scene and charged with three counts of vehicular homicide.

Immigration Status and Enforcement

The FLHSMV also confirmed that Singh had entered the U.S. illegally in 2018, crossing the southern border before later obtaining a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) in California. Through coordination with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), state troopers issued an immigration detainer under the federal 287(g) program, which allows state law enforcement to act under ICE authority.

Dave Kerner, Executive Director of FLHSMV, called Singh’s actions “shocking and criminal,” adding that his behavior resulted in irreversible loss for the victims’ families. Singh will remain in custody on state charges and faces deportation following the completion of his sentence.

Community Reactions: Safety and Oversight Concerns

The crash has sparked intense debate within trucking and driver communities. On Reddit’s r/Truckers, users shared concerns about recurring safety issues tied to inexperienced or improperly trained drivers.

One commenter noted:

I did not have a thing against foreign truckers five years ago. But today, I think it’s a serious problem that puts people at risk every day.

And another saying:

...I’ll tell you what I tell everyone - the CDL test sites should also be held responsible for giving these guys CDLs. They are raking in hundreds of thousands of dollars by letting people pass the tests. The system is f**** corrupt as hell. I wish they’d find the place where he got his CDL and question the Tester that passed this guy with flying colors.

Implications for Trucking Safety

This accident highlight several pressing issues in trucking and supply chain safety that still continues to plague the industry:

• Highway Safety Risks: Illegal maneuvers, such as unauthorized U-turns on high-speed corridors like the Florida Turnpike, remain among the most dangerous actions by commercial drivers, often leading to severe accidents.
• Driver Vetting and Licensing: Singh’s ability to obtain a CDL despite his undocumented status raises questions about gaps in licensing oversight and the processes carriers use when hiring drivers.
• Enforcement and Accountability: The involvement of ICE highlights the intersection of immigration enforcement with transportation safety, particularly as regulators and law enforcement continue to face scrutiny over how commercial drivers are vetted.

Source: CDLLIFE