Semi-Truck Driver Accused in Deadly Florida Crash Failed English, Road Sign Tests: DHS

Harjinder Singh failed an English language proficiency test and incorrectly identified highway signs, Homeland Security said.

Rachel Acenas

Published: 8/20/2025, 3:28:42 PM EDT

Semi-Truck Driver Accused in Deadly Florida Crash Failed English, Road Sign Tests: DHS — Florida's Turnpike in July 2024. (Google Maps)

Homeland Security has released new details about the semi-truck driver accused of last week's deadly crash in St. Lucie County, Florida.

According to officials, Singh's history shows he failed to comprehend fundamental English language and road signs.

"Harjinder Singh, an illegal alien from India who killed three innocent people, FAILED an English Language Proficiency assessment," DHS said in an update on X Wednesday. "Singh provided correct responses to just 2 of 12 verbal questions and only accurately identifying 1 of 4 highway traffic signs."

The deadly crash happened on Aug. 12 near mile marker 171 on the Florida Turnpike.

Singh attempted an illegal U-turn, resulting in his trailer jackknifing and colliding with a minivan, according to officials. All three of the minivan's passengers were killed.

The case has garnered national attention and sparked debate among lawmakers regarding immigration policies and commercial driver's licenses for illegal immigrants.

Homeland Security said Singh obtained a commercial driver’s license in California, which is one of 19 states, in addition to the District of Columbia, that issue licenses regardless of immigration status, according to the National Immigration Law Center.

"Gavin Newsom’s sanctuary California gave this illegal alien who cannot speak English a Commercial Drivers License to drive an 18-wheeler," DHS said. "DHS will work with [U.S. Department of Transportation] to root out and prevent illegal aliens from obtaining these licenses from sanctuary jurisdictions that put American drivers and passengers in danger."

Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) also weighed in on the case, arguing the State of California wrongly issued a driver’s license to an illegal alien.

"He should not have been here. He should not have received a license. This never should have happened," the congressman wrote in a statement, vowing that justice will be served.

Newsom responded and faulted the current administration. He argued Singh obtained a work permit while Donald Trump was president, saying in an X post that the "Trump Administration is either lying or clueless."

DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin disputed Newsom's claims.

McLaughlin said the federal government denied him a permit during Trump's first term in September 2020, but Singh was granted one in June 2021 under President Joe Biden.

Singh has formally been charged with three counts of vehicular homicide and faces deportation.

He was arrested in Stockton, California, after taking a flight there following the fatal crash in Florida, according to the U.S. Marshals Service.

Singh appeared in San Joaquin County Superior Court in Stockton on Tuesday for an extradition hearing and was appointed a public defender.

He signed extradition papers and will appear in court to face state charges in Florida later this week.

The defendant remains in custody without bail and is subject to a federal immigration detainer.

"He will no longer be able to damage and destroy the lives of Floridians and visitors," Dave Kerner, executive director of Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles said in a statement. "At the conclusion of his state charges, he will be deported."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.