FORT PIERCE, Fla. — The U.S. Division of Homeland Safety mentioned Monday {that a} truck driver accused of constructing an unlawful U-turn that killed three individuals in Florida was within the nation illegally, fueling a verbal tussle with California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s workplace over immigration.
Harjinder Singh made the unlawful flip final Tuesday from northbound lanes of Florida’s Turnpike about 50 miles (80 kilometers) north of West Palm Seashore, based on the Florida Freeway Patrol. A minivan was unable to keep away from the truck’s trailer, which was blocking the northbound lanes.
Two passengers within the minivan died on the scene and the driving force died at a hospital. Singh and a passenger in his truck weren’t injured.
A lot of Singh’s immigration historical past was not instantly clear Monday, together with his nation of citizenship and whether or not and when he obtained authorized standing. Florida authorities mentioned he entered the U.S. illegally from Mexico in 2018.
Homeland Safety mentioned Singh obtained a industrial driver’s license in California, which is certainly one of 19 states, along with the District of Columbia, that problem licenses no matter immigration standing, based on the Nationwide Immigration Legislation Heart. Supporters of such insurance policies say driver’s licenses present a lifeline for individuals to work, choose up kids from college, go to docs and journey safely.
Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for Homeland Safety, mentioned issuing a industrial license to somebody within the nation illegally is “asinine.”
Newsom’s press workplace, which has been in a heated on-line confrontation over congressional redistricting, responded on the X platform that Singh obtained a piece allow whereas Donald Trump was president. McLaughlin disputed that, saying the federal government denied him a allow throughout Trump’s first time period in September 2020 and granted him one in June 2021, underneath President Joe Biden.
Singh is charged with three state counts of vehicular murder and immigration violations. The federal authorities has requested that he be transferred to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody after his prison case is full.
The truck was tried a U-turn in an space marked for “official use solely,” the freeway patrol mentioned. Video of the crash was obtained by Breaking911.
Singh was not listed within the St. Lucie County Jail. No cellphone quantity or handle for Singh was listed in public information.
