Illegal U-Turn by Indian Trucker Kills 3, Sparks US Immigration Row
Harjinder Singh, an Indian-origin truck driver, caused a deadly crash in Florida in August 2025, killing three people while making an illegal U-turn.
On 12th August 2025, a tragic crash on the Florida Turnpike, USA claimed three lives. Harjinder Singh, a 28-year-old Indian-origin truck driver, attempted an illegal U-turn at a spot marked “Official Use Only.” A minivan collided with his truck, killing three people: a 37-year-old woman from Pompano Beach, a 30-year-old man from Florida City, and a 54-year-old man from Miami. Singh was not injured.
Authorities later revealed Singh had entered the U.S. illegally through the Mexico border in 2018, was released on bond, and later applied for asylum. By 2021, he obtained a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) despite failing English and road-sign tests after the crash. Officials raised questions about how someone unqualified could gain a CDL.
Singh faces second-degree felony charges for causing three deaths, each carrying up to 15 years in prison, totaling 45 years. If convicted, he will serve prison time in Florida before deportation.The case quickly became political. Leaders in Florida blamed California for issuing Singh a license under laws that protect undocumented workers. On 21st August 2025, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced an immediate halt on worker visas for foreign commercial truck drivers, citing road safety.
The crash also fueled anti-immigrant sentiment, with Indians targeted after the video went viral. Meanwhile, Indian community groups rallied behind Singh, calling it a tragic accident. A petition supporting him has gained over 2.2 million signatures.
This case highlights road safety, licensing standards, and the wider immigration debate in the U.S.
