FORT PIERCE, Fla. (CBS12) — Harjinder Singh, the truck driver involved in an accident on the Florida Turnpike that resulted in three fatalities, appeared in court on Wednesday.
Singh, 28, is facing charges in connection with the August 12 crash near mile marker 171. According to authorities, he made an illegal U-turn using an “Official Use Only” access point, blocking all northbound lanes and causing a collision with a minivan.
The hearing followed the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to decline Florida's lawsuit against California and Washington regarding commercial driver licensing practices. The case has sparked discussion about licensing standards and immigration issues related to truck drivers.
Troopers reported that Singh's actions left no time for the minivan to brake. Witnesses and investigators are examining whether he can read English road signs, raising concerns about adherence to federal commercial licensing standards.
St. Lucie County Sheriff Richard Del Toro Jr. previously testified before Congress about vulnerabilities in the commercial driver licensing system, emphasizing the tragic impact on victims' families.
Singh remains in custody without bond as the criminal proceedings continue. The controversy has prompted Florida to implement stricter enforcement measures regarding commercial driver licenses, including enhanced English testing.