Illegal Immigrant Truck Driver Linked to Fatal Crash in Florida

An undocumented truck driver is under investigation after allegedly causing a crash in Fort Pierce, Florida, resulting in three fatalities. Authorities indicate that the driver, Haljindersin, not only lacks proper immigration status but also failed English and road sign comprehension tests during the inquiry.

Haljindersin entered the US illegally through a border crossing in 2018 and was able to secure a commercial driver’s license in California despite his status. His request for employment was initially denied by the Trump administration in September 2020.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) mandated an English proficiency assessment for the driver in light of the incident, as noted by the Department of Transportation (DOT) in their statement.

Investigations launched on August 14, just two days post-accident, revealed further complications. Singh, who had been issued a standard commercial driver’s license in Washington in July 2023, was charged with three counts of vehicular homicide after being arrested in Stockton, California. According to the DOT, only legal immigrants are permitted to obtain such licenses.

A year later, Singh received a temporary commercial driver’s license in California. The DOT aims to verify if the licensing adhered to federal guidelines. Additionally, Singh had been pulled over by New Mexico State Police for speeding, yet he was not subjected to the required English Proficiency Test back in June 2023.

According to reports, Singh made an unauthorized U-turn on the Florida turnpike, which caused his truck to jackknife and collide with a minivan, leading to the deaths of its three occupants.

The tragic incident has sparked political disagreements, notably between California Governor Gavin Newsom and officials like McLaughlin regarding the handling of Singh’s work permit.

Amid these developments, a criticism surfaced regarding the work permit issued to Singh under the Biden administration after his earlier denial in 2020. Some argue that the Trump administration’s statements about his immigration eligibility are misleading.

Furthermore, a spokesperson for Newsom highlighted that Singh was reissued a work permit in April 2025, inferring it was compliant with current federal regulations. The spokesperson pointed out the importance of clarifying facts concerning federally issued work permits and the timeline of Singh’s immigration status.