ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. — The semi-truck driver accused of an illegal U-turn on Florida's Turnpike, resulting in a fatal crash, is being held without bond in St. Lucie County Jail after being extradited from California.
Authorities said Harjinder Singh, 34, made the illegal U-turn in Fort Pierce on Aug. 12, leading to the crash that killed three individuals in a minivan. Following the incident, Singh reportedly fled to Sacramento, where he was later apprehended.
St. Lucie County Sheriff Richard Del Toro criticized Singh's actions, stating, “He had absolutely no remorse” after the crash, which provided no time for victims to react. Singh faces three counts of vehicular manslaughter.
According to officials, Singh obtained a commercial driver's license in California after entering the U.S. illegally from Mexico in 2018. His request for work authorization was denied in 2020 but approved in 2021. Governor Ron DeSantis noted that federal investigations found Singh allegedly failed English and road sign exams required for obtaining his license.
Singh's employer, White Hawk Carriers Inc., has been noted for a history of safety violations. Transportation expert James Lewis described the violations as “very egregious.”
Singh will remain in custody pending further legal proceedings, as confirmed by Sheriff Del Toro.