WASHINGTON, D.C.—United States Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced August 19 that his department’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has now launch an official investigation how failures at the Department of Licensing in the states of Washington and California led to the issuance of a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) to Harjinder Singh, 28, a citizen of India, and an undocumented immigrant. Singh allegedly killed three on August 12 near Lucie County, Florida, while executing an illegal U-turn on the Florida Turnpike.
“We will use every tool at our disposal to hold these states and bad actors accountable,” wrote Secretary Duffy in a statement. “President Trump and I will restore safety to our roads. The families of the deceased deserve justice.”
The FMCSA investigation will focus on Singh and motor carrier, White Hawk Carriers, Inc. Secretary Duffy blamed the deaths on “radical immigration policies.”
On July 15th, 2023, Washington State issued Singh a regular full-term Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).
“Washington State improperly issued the driver [Harjinder Singh] a full-term CDL,” Secretary Duffy wrote on X. “Asylum seekers or illegal aliens are NOT allowed to receive this” adding that FMCSA will also investigate “California’s issuance of the driver’s CDL.”
On July 23, 2024, California issued the driver a limited-term/non-domiciled CDL. FMCSA is investigating the issuance of this license to determine whether it was issued in accordance with Federal regulations.
FMCSA will also investigate the New Mexico State Police for allegedly failing to conduct an English Language Proficiency (ELP) test when Singh was pulled over for speeding on July 3, 2025, which if conducted, Duffy said, would have led to Singh not being “on the road.” A preliminary investigation found that an ELP assessment was not administered.
Effective June 25, 2025, New Mexico was to begin administering and enforcing ELP as an out-of-service condition, Duffy shared.
“States MUST FOLLOW THE RULES. If they had, this driver would NEVER have been behind the wheel and three precious lives would still be with us. The failures here are despicable,” wrote Secretary Duffy. “Non-enforcement and radical immigration policies have turned the trucking industry into a lawless frontier, resulting in unqualified foreign drivers improperly acquiring licenses to operate 40-ton vehicles.”
This cannot happen again.
.@FMCSA is launching an investigation into both the driver and White Hawk Carrier.
Here’s what we know:
1. Washington State improperly issued the driver a full-term CDL. Asylum seekers or illegal aliens are NOT allowed to receive this!
2. New Mexico… pic.twitter.com/Qlf8T68IJz
FMCSA investigators began its on-site compliance investigation on August 14, 2025 at the motor carrier’s premises in California. During the initial phase of the compliance investigation, investigators reviewed driver qualification files, obtained in-cab and forward-facing video footage of the crash, and conducted interviews with key personnel including the crash-involved driver.
During FMCSA’s interview with the driver, investigators administered an English Language Proficiency (ELP) assessment in accordance with FMCSA guidance. The driver failed the assessment, providing correct responses to just 2 of 12 verbal questions and only accurately identifying 1 of 4 highway traffic signs.
Singh is now facing three counts of vehicular homicide and potential deportation. He, enter the U.S. illegally in 2018 through Mexico, Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) reports.
The crash occurred around 3 p.m. near mile marker 171 in northern St. Lucie County. Singh was operating a 2024 International tractor-trailer when he attempted an illegal U-turn on the freeway crossing into the path of a northbound 2015 Chrysler Town & Country minivan. The authorized speed on the turnpike is 70 miles per hour.
The black minivan became wedged under the trailer, leading to the immediate deaths of two passengers: a 37-year-old woman from Pompano Beach and a 54-year-old man from Miami. The minivan’s driver, a 30-year-old man from Florida City, was transported to a hospital but later succumbed to his injuries.
‘On Tuesday, August 14, 2025, a tragic crash unfolded on the Florida Turnpike in Fort Pierce, FL, when a semi-truck attempted an illegal U-turn at an "Official Use Only" turnout, crossing unexpectedly into the left travel lane.’ pic.twitter.com/n9FHqBC0WN
— The Daily Sneed™ (@Tr00peRR) August 15, 2025
Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) arrested Singh at the scene and charged him with three counts of vehicular homicide. In addition to state charges, FHP issued an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainer against Singh who is currently in custody, and deportation proceedings are expected to follow the resolution of his criminal case.
Despite being an undocumented immigrant, Singh obtained a commercial license in California, according to Florida Highway Patrol, where state law under Assembly Bill 60 (AB 60), enacted in 2015, permits undocumented individuals to apply for non-commercial driver’s licenses with proof of identity and residency, marked as “not for federal identification.”
Once a person obtains a non-commercial Class C California Driver’s License (standard driver’s license, including AB60), according to the California Department of Motor Vehicles, that person “May apply for a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP), but must have a CA driver’s license prior to getting a CLP.”
Federal regulations under 49 CFR Part 383 mandate verification of legal status for CDL issuance, but a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) allows an operator behind-the-wheel if accompanied by a valid CDL holder.
According to 49 CFR § 383.25 – Commercial learner’s permit (CLP), A CLP is considered a valid CDL for purposes of behind-the-wheel training on public roads or highways, if “The CLP holder is at all times accompanied by the holder of a valid CDL who has the proper CDL group and endorsement(s) necessary to operate the CMV and is otherwise authorized to operate the CMV for that trip. The CDL holder must at all times be physically present in the front seat of the vehicle next to the CLP holder.”
Cabin video from the truck showed another person in the passenger seat, though it remains unclear if that individual held a valid CDL.
Washington State has a comparable policy for non-commercial licenses, established by House Bill 1444 in 1993, which removed the Social Security Number requirement and allows alternative identity documents for applicants without lawful presence.
FLHSMV Executive Director Dave Kerner described the actions as “shocking and criminal,” stating, “Three people lost their lives as a result of his recklessness, and countless friends and family members will experience the pain of their loss forever. Harjinder Singh is in custody on state vehicular homicide charges and immigration violations. He will no longer be able to damage and destroy the lives of Floridians and visitors. At the conclusion of his state charges, he will be deported. The Florida Highway Patrol remains committed to enforcing both state and federal law to ensure that people that are a danger to others face justice behind bars.”
The incident has now drawn attention on social media and in news reports, with discussions focusing on the implications of state-level licensing for undocumented immigrants and the enforcement of federal CLP and CDL requirements.
In Florida, vehicular homicide is typically a second-degree felony, punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. There is also a mandatory minimum sentence of nine years and three months.
Author: Mario Lotmore
