Three Killed in Semi-Truck Crash in St. Lucie County, Driver Charged
ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — An illegal U-turn by an undocumented truck driver resulted in a crash that killed three people on August 12.
According to the New Mexico State Police (NMSP), Harjinder Singh, 28, was driving a 2024 International semi-truck near mile marker 171 when he attempted the turn in an “official use only” area. His trailer crossed all northbound lanes, directly colliding with a 2015 Chrysler Town & Country minivan, which became wedged under the trailer, resulting in the deaths of all three occupants.
Singh was charged with three counts of vehicular homicide following the crash. He had previously been pulled over on July 3, where he communicated in English with officers during a traffic stop. However, subsequent tests by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration revealed he struggled significantly with English proficiency, answering only 2 of 12 verbal questions correctly.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has since announced a plan to enforce federal English proficiency rules for commercial vehicle drivers, criticizing states like California and New Mexico for non-compliance. NMSP clarified that no English Language Proficiency (ELP) assessment was necessary during the July 3 stop, as communication with Singh was clear.
An investigation is underway regarding how Singh obtained commercial licenses across several states despite failing to meet federal safety standards.
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