Lede: Three people died in a crash involving a semi-truck on Florida's Turnpike near Fort Pierce on August 12.
Authorities reported that 35-year-old Harjinder Singh attempted an illegal U-turn, putting his semi-truck directly in the path of a minivan. The minivan collided with the trailer, resulting in the deaths of all three passengers. Singh faces three counts of vehicular homicide.
Singh, an undocumented immigrant from India, held a valid California commercial driver's license. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis criticized the circumstances allowing Singh to obtain the license.
Following the crash, Singh and a passenger flew to Sacramento. On August 16, U.S. Marshals arrested Singh in Stockton, California, based on a tip from the Florida Highway Patrol. He was booked into the San Joaquin County Jail with an immigration detainer filed on behalf of ICE.
The incident has spurred renewed discussions on immigration enforcement, state driver's licensing laws, and highway safety. U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi condemned California's sanctuary laws for enabling Singh's actions, labeling him a “dangerous illegal alien.”
U.S. Marshals Director Gadyaces Serralta described the arrest as a “multi-state, multi-agency success,” emphasizing their commitment to bringing criminals to justice.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.