(FLORIDA) Harjinder Singh, a 28-year-old truck driver, is in custody in California and expected to be extradited to Florida within days to face three counts of vehicular homicide after a deadly crash on the Florida Turnpike in St. Lucie County on August 12, 2025. Investigators say Singh attempted an illegal U-turn with his semi-truck, blocking all northbound lanes, when a Chrysler minivan struck the trailer, killing three people at the scene.
The victims, according to Florida authorities, were a 37-year-old woman from Pompano Beach, a 54-year-old man from Miami, and a 30-year-old man from Florida City. Singh and his passenger, Harneet Singh, were uninjured.
Before a warrant was issued, investigators say Singh and his passenger boarded a flight to Sacramento the next day. Florida authorities obtained a warrant on August 15, and U.S. Marshals arrested Singh in Stockton, California, on August 16. He appeared in San Joaquin County Superior Court on August 19, signed extradition papers, and now awaits transfer to Florida. Officials said he is held without bail; if Florida does not take custody by mid-September, he must return to court in California.
Prosecutors in St. Lucie County have charged Singh with three counts of vehicular homicide, a second-degree felony punishable by up to 45 years in prison if convicted on all counts. An immigration detainer filed by federal authorities means that, after the state case, Singh will be transferred to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody for removal proceedings. The detainer link: https://www.ice.gov/detainer.
Licensing and immigration background
Records show Singh crossed the U.S.–Mexico border without inspection in 2018 and claimed asylum. His immigration and licensing timeline includes:
- 2020: First application for work permission was denied.
- Later: Work permission was approved, allowing a temporary job permit.
- 2021: California issued a limited-term commercial driver’s license (CDL).
- 2023: Washington state granted him a full-term CDL.
Federal regulators now contend the 2023 Washington decision should not have occurred because of his unresolved immigration status. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has begun a review of how California and Washington handled his licensing.
Political reactions include:
- Florida leaders, including Governor Ron DeSantis and Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, argue California’s policies allowed Singh to drive a tractor-trailer despite lacking lawful status.
- At the federal level, Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin at the Department of Homeland Security criticized California’s DMV for issuing commercial licenses to people without permanent status, calling it a threat to public safety.
- California Governor Gavin Newsom countered that Singh’s federal work permit was valid when the state issued its license; federal regulators dispute that justification.
Policy climate and enforcement
Singh’s case unfolds amid tougher immigration enforcement under President Trump’s second term. Recent federal policy and enforcement actions include:
- Restarting the “Remain in Mexico” program for many asylum seekers.
- Suspension of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program as of January 27, 2025.
- Expanded worksite checks.
- Increased use of immigration detainers to keep noncitizens in custody after local charges.
- New civil penalties of $5,000 per unlawful border crossing.
Florida officials are coordinating closely with federal partners on extradition and custody transfers, underscoring intergovernmental cooperation.
Stakeholders and human impact
The human consequences are significant:
- Families: For the victims’ families, loss is immediate and profound. They are preparing for court dates while grief affects three communities.
- State support: The state emphasizes support for families affected by crimes involving noncitizens and points to the DHS Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement office: 1-855-488-6423.
- Trucking industry: Among drivers and industry groups, the case has sparked debate about:
- Training
- Load management
- Risks from illegal maneuvers or lack of proper supervision
Industry observers are watching federal reviews of CDL issuance in California and Washington, since findings could change how states verify identity and status before licensing commercial operators.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the combination of criminal charges and an immigration hold makes eventual removal from the United States likely if Singh is convicted. Even without a final conviction, the detainer signals ICE intends to take custody once state charges are resolved.
Investigations and political fallout continue. Federal officials are scrutinizing California and Washington DMV processes, while Florida presses forward with prosecution and extradition.
What’s expected next (short term)
Based on court records and official statements, the immediate steps include:
- Extradition
- Florida has until mid-September 2025 to take custody from California.
- Officials say pickup is expected in days.
- Criminal case
- On arrival in Florida, Singh will be arraigned and prosecuted on three counts of vehicular homicide.
- Maximum exposure: 45 years.
- Immigration custody
- After state proceedings, ICE will take custody under the detainer and begin removal steps that could end with deportation.
- Oversight and review
- FMCSA and other federal and state inquiries into licensing practices in California and Washington are ongoing.
- Possible changes to CDL rules and verification processes may result.
Legal issues, defenses, and evidence
Key legal questions and possible defenses include:
- Evidence of the illegal U-turn and whether that maneuver caused the crash.
- Training records and employer/dispatch logs — to determine fatigue, supervision, or dispatch pressure.
- Defense strategy likely to:
- Challenge the timeline.
- Argue lack of intent to cause harm.
- Prosecutors likely to emphasize:
- Roadway rules.
- The severity of blocking multiple lanes and the resulting fatalities.
Separate from criminal liability, immigration outcomes will hinge on the final conviction record and the existing ICE detainer.
Practical lessons for immigrants and drivers
Important takeaways from this case:
- Criminal conduct involving a commercial vehicle can trigger both state prison exposure and immigration consequences, even for those who once held work permits.
- Interstate movement after a fatal crash prompts rapid multi-agency coordination — U.S. Marshals arrested Singh in California within a day of Florida issuing the warrant.
- An ICE hold often prevents release from jail, even if a defendant posts bond in the criminal case.
Status update (as of August 21, 2025)
- Singh remains jailed in California, awaiting transport to Florida.
- Extradition is described as imminent by officials.
- Once in St. Lucie County, he will face arraignment and pretrial hearings while ICE monitors the case.
- Families of the three victims are awaiting the first court date.
Investigations, political scrutiny, and federal reviews of licensing practices are ongoing and may result in policy changes affecting how states issue commercial credentials to migrants with pending immigration matters.
This Article in a Nutshell
After the August 12, 2025 Florida Turnpike crash, Harjinder Singh faces three vehicular homicide counts. Arrested in California, he awaits extradition and state prosecution; federal detainer signals likely ICE custody and removal proceedings. The case spurs FMCSA reviews of California and Washington CDL issuance, raising licensing and enforcement policy questions nationwide.
