In a case that has swiftly captured national attention, nearly 2.8 million people have signed a petition urging leniency for Harjinder Singh, a 28-year-old illegal alien and truck driver involved in a deadly collision in Florida. The accident occurred on August 12 on the Florida Turnpike in Fort Pierce, where Singh's attempt at an illegal U-turn with his semi-truck resulted in a jackknife that struck a minivan, tragically killing all three occupants.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced last week that state authorities would take custody of Singh, emphasizing the risks posed by unqualified drivers and vowing to "throw the book at him" for the incident. Singh faces six felony charges, including three counts of vehicular homicide and three counts of manslaughter. If convicted, he could face a sentence of up to 45 years in prison.
Singh, who entered the U.S. illegally in 2018, managed to obtain commercial driver’s licenses in both Washington State and California despite failing federally required English proficiency tests. His application for work authorization was denied in 2020 during the Trump administration. Following the crash, the Department of Homeland Security deemed Singh a "significant threat to public safety," and his immigration case was unresolved at the time of the accident.
The petition, initiated by Manisha Kaushal and representing the "Collective Punjabi youth," argues that the crash was an accident and not a deliberate act. It calls for a "proportionate and reasonable" sentence, suggesting alternatives to incarceration, such as counseling or community service, and requests parole eligibility after part of the sentence is served.
Singh fled to California with a passenger the day after the crash and was arrested by U.S. Marshals on August 16 in Stockton, California. He was then extradited back to Florida. A Florida judge has denied bond, citing Singh as a flight risk. His relatives in Punjab, India, have made emotional appeals for mercy, stressing the impact a lengthy sentence would have on his family.
The incident has reignited discussions on immigration and road safety in the U.S., with official statements, petitions, and family appeals shaping the public debate. Senator Marco Rubio responded to the incident by announcing a freeze on work visas for foreign commercial truck drivers to protect American lives and jobs. Indian lawmaker Harsimrat Kaur Badal criticized this policy, warning that it could be discriminatory and harm families.
