Crash in Florida under investigation: non-domiciled CDLs and lack of English language proficiency

Tragic Florida crash claims three lives; DOT investigates driver’s immigration status and license irregularities

A tragic accident in Florida that claimed the lives of three people is under investigation by the U.S. Department of Transportation and Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy. The incident was caused by a truck driver holding non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) issued by the states of California and Washington, who was also in the country without the legal documents required to work.

The crash occurred on August 12 on the Florida Turnpike in St. Lucie County. According to information from the Florida Highway Patrol, the truck driver, Harjinder Singh, made an illegal U-turn “in a reckless manner and without regard for the safety of others.” This maneuver caused a collision with a minivan carrying three passengers, all of whom died at the scene.

A preventable crash: risks of non-domiciled CDLs and lack of english proficiency

Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents confirmed that Singh entered the country illegally in 2018. In July 2024, the state of California issued him a limited-term, non-domiciled commercial driver’s license (CDL), while Washington state had already issued him a full-term CDL in 2023. However, the U.S. Department of Transportation explicitly prohibits individuals without legal status or asylum seekers from obtaining such licenses.

Two days after the crash, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) began an on-site compliance review at the offices of Singh’s employer, White Hawk Carriers, based in Ceres, California, just south of Modesto.

As part of the investigation, FMCSA agents conducted an English language proficiency (ELP) interview, which is now required to assess a driver\’s command of English. Singh correctly answered only two of twelve verbal questions and recognized just one of four traffic signs. This outcome reinforces the Department’s concern about the safety risks posed by commercial drivers who lack English proficiency.

Additionally, DOT records show that White Hawk Carriers had vehicle out-of-service ratings of 23.4% and driver out-of-service ratings of 13.4%.

The day after the crash, Singh and an unidentified travel companion flew from Florida to Sacramento, California, where he was later arrested.

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Duffy slams lax enforcement leading to public safety risks

In a statement released on August 19, Secretary Sean Duffy criticized the lack of enforcement of immigration and highway safety laws, which he said allowed unqualified foreign drivers to improperly obtain commercial licenses.

“We will use every tool available to hold states and bad actors accountable. The families of those killed deserve justice,” Duffy said, calling the crash a “preventable tragedy” caused by reckless decisions and systemic failures.

Duffy also questioned why Singh was not given the mandatory English proficiency test (ELP), which has been in effect since June 25. He stated that if the rules had been followed, Singh would not have been behind the wheel, and the victims would still be alive.

Meanwhile, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated in a post on X that DHS and DOT would work together “to root out and prevent illegal aliens from obtaining these licenses in sanctuary jurisdictions that endanger American drivers and passengers.”

California and Washington are among 19 states that allow undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses.

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