WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Transportation has announced that a federal investigation has found Washington State and California issued commercial driver’s licenses to a truck driver now charged with vehicular homicide in a Florida crash that killed three people.
Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy said the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) launched an investigation following the August 12 crash on Florida’s Turnpike. Investigators found the driver, Harjinder Singh, failed an English proficiency assessment and should not have received a full-term commercial driver’s license in Washington.
FMCSA investigators say Singh answered correctly on only 2 of 12 verbal assessment questions and identified just 1 of 4 traffic signs. Authorities determined that Singh entered the U.S. illegally after crossing the Mexico border in 2018.
According to FMCSA, the State of Washington issued Singh a regular CDL on July 15, 2023, though asylum seekers or individuals without legal status are not eligible for that type of license. On July 23, 2024, Singh was also issued a limited-term, non-domiciled CDL in California. Federal officials said they are reviewing whether that California license was issued in compliance with federal regulations.
The crash occurred when Singh attempted an illegal U-turn at an unauthorized location, blocking traffic and colliding with a minivan. Three people were killed. Singh has been charged in Florida with three counts of vehicular homicide and is being held on an immigration detainer.
FMCSA officials said their compliance investigation began August 14 at the California premises of White Hawk Carriers, Inc., Singh’s employer. Investigators are continuing to review the company’s driver qualification files, video from the truck, and state licensing records.
The Department of Transportation said its investigation will support Florida’s ongoing criminal case.