(ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA) Harjinder Singh, a 28-year-old Indian national, is in Florida custody on three counts of vehicular homicide after a fatal crash on Florida’s Turnpike on August 12, 2025. Florida Highway Patrol says Singh attempted an illegal U-turn with a semi-truck in St. Lucie County, causing a minivan to slam into the trailer. Three people died at the scene.
The case quickly moved beyond a local tragedy because Singh held a California commercial driver’s license (CDL) and reportedly failed English and road sign tests, according to recent reports, yet was still licensed to drive a heavy truck. An ICE detainer has been placed on him under the 287(g) program, meaning federal custody is expected after state charges proceed.
Authorities confirmed the victims were Florida residents ages 30, 37, and 50. Florida Highway Patrol announced Singh’s arrest on August 16 and confirmed cooperation with federal immigration officers. By August 18–20, the crash and arrest had become a flashpoint in a broader fight over state licensing rules, work permits for noncitizens, and the role of sanctuary policies.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the collision has become a test case for how state-level licensing decisions can intersect with federal immigration timelines and courtroom outcomes.
Licensing and Immigration Timeline
Singh’s immigration and licensing history has drawn particular scrutiny:
- 2018: Singh entered the United States without inspection at the southern border and claimed asylum, then was released while his case proceeded.
- September 2020: Federal records cited by state officials show his application for work authorization was rejected during the Trump administration.
- June 9, 2021: His work authorization was reportedly approved during the Biden administration.
- After receiving work authorization, Singh obtained a California CDL.
California — which has sanctuary policies — allows noncitizens who meet identity, residency, and testing standards to obtain licenses, including CDLs. Multiple reports now allege Singh failed English and road sign tests yet still held an active CDL. Those accounts have raised questions about:
- How tests were administered and checked
- Whether state-level processes flagged language issues for a commercial driver operating across state lines
Florida officials say the case shows a gap between federal work authorization and state licensing safeguards. California officials counter that once a person has federal permission to work, state DMV offices must process a license application if the applicant meets all required steps.
Key dates in the case:
1. August 12, 2025: The Turnpike crash in St. Lucie County kills three people.
2. August 16, 2025: Florida Highway Patrol arrests Singh for vehicular homicide and confirms an ICE detainer under 287(g).
3. August 18–20, 2025: A public dispute unfolds between Florida and California leaders; federal officials confirm immigration details and both governors issue statements.
Policy Clash Between Florida and California
Governor Ron DeSantis argues California’s licensing approach, especially for commercial drivers, endangers public safety. He has urged Congress to:
- Set uniform national standards for commercial licensing
- Close pathways he says let undocumented immigrants obtain CDLs
Supporters of Florida’s position point to the reported testing failures as evidence that current checks can miss language and safety weaknesses for drivers of large trucks.
California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office says the state followed federal law. Their position:
- Once Singh had a valid federal work permit, he was eligible to apply for a license
- Licensing undocumented residents can improve road safety because more drivers complete testing and carry insurance
California has not announced immediate changes to its licensing framework, but its defense underscores this point: federal permission to work often sets the stage for state licensing, and states are not supposed to rewrite federal immigration status rules on their own.
The Department of Homeland Security has confirmed the timeline of Singh’s entry and work authorization. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has placed a detainer, meaning Singh will be turned over for removal proceedings after Florida’s criminal case concludes.
For official information on DHS missions and immigration enforcement, see the Department of Homeland Security’s website at https://www.dhs.gov.
Under the 287(g) program, state and local agencies like Florida Highway Patrol can work with federal officers to hold and transfer people who are subject to removal.
Broader Issues Highlighted by the Crash
The crash has highlighted a persistent policy knot: states differ on whether they allow access to regular and commercial licenses for people with pending asylum claims after federal work authorization is granted.
Key points and tensions:
– Some states allow full licenses (including CDLs) after federal work authorization; others are stricter.
– A driver may be legal to work and licensed in one state but still lack expected skills or language proficiency for high-risk jobs like tractor-trailer driving.
– Critics of sanctuary policies view this case as a warning that testing standards and verification methods matter as much as status documents presented at a DMV counter.
VisaVerge.com reports that opponents and supporters point to different causes:
– Opponents: Federal work authorization approvals reflect looser policies and contributed to the situation.
– Supporters: The federal government, not the state, decides work authorization; states must treat a valid work card as proof of eligibility to apply for a license.
Calls are growing for Congress to pass a single set of rules for CDLs that would:
– Reduce differences among states
– Add stronger checks tied to English and road sign knowledge before issuing or renewing a commercial license
Legal and Criminal Proceedings
Law enforcement leaders in Florida emphasize the criminal case:
- Vehicular homicide is a serious felony in Florida.
- Investigators say the illegal U-turn is central to the state’s charges.
- Prosecutors will weigh:
- Crash reconstruction results
- Witness statements
- Any testing records Florida receives from California or federal agencies
Separately, ICE will be prepared to take custody if a judge orders Singh held for removal after the criminal case ends.
Human Impact and Policy Responses
For the families of the three victims, the policy debate is secondary to their grief. Advocates for immigrant drivers call for:
- Better training
- Consistent testing
- Avoiding blanket bans that could push workers into unlicensed driving
Critics argue California’s system failed in this instance and demand swift changes rather than longer studies. Both sides assert public safety is the main concern.
Legislative responses under discussion:
– Federal standards linking CDL issuance to verified language and road sign proficiency
– Tighter audit rules for test providers
– Expanded federal-state data sharing so red flags in one state are visible to DMVs nationwide
As the legal case moves forward in Florida, the policy fight is likely to continue in Congress and state legislatures into the fall.
This Article in a Nutshell
A deadly August 12 Turnpike crash raises national debate: a California-issued CDL held by Harjinder Singh prompts scrutiny of testing, federal work authorization, and state licensing gaps, pushing calls for uniform CDL standards while criminal and immigration proceedings proceed simultaneously in Florida and federally.
