Lede: A crash on Florida's Turnpike near Fort Pierce on August 12 killed three people, prompting a national immigration controversy.
Authorities reported that a semi-truck driven by 28-year-old Harjinder Singh attempted an illegal U-turn, blocking all northbound lanes. A Chrysler minivan subsequently collided with the trailer, resulting in the deaths of three individuals: 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, 25-year-old Harneet Singh, were unharmed. Following the crash, both men flew to Sacramento, California, the next day, prior to any warrants being issued. Florida officials secured a warrant charging Harjinder Singh with three counts of vehicular homicide on August 15, leading to his arrest by U.S. Marshals in Stockton on August 16.
In a court hearing this week, Singh, wearing an orange jail jumpsuit, signed extradition papers. A judge approved the request, setting a 30-day period for Florida to retrieve him. He remains in custody without bail and faces a federal immigration detainer.
Federal officials noted that Singh, who crossed the U.S.-Mexico border illegally in 2018, had received limited commercial driver's licenses in California and Washington despite failing to meet safety standards. Investigations are ongoing regarding how he obtained these licenses.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has criticized the immigration system, linking Singh's case to broader issues in asylum processes and state licensing. The trucking company, White Hawk Carriers, is also under scrutiny for inspection violations and has lost its insurance coverage outside California. Extradition to Florida is expected within the coming weeks.