00:00A momentary decision on a busy Florida highway has spiraled into a story of tragedy, controversy, and international attention.
00:08An illegal U-turn by a truck driver of Indian origin has ignited heated debates over immigration policies, public safety, and industry oversight.
00:17With political leaders now clashing and millions joining online petitions, the case now resonates far beyond the crash from American highways.
00:25It has traveled all the way to communities in the Indian state of Punjab.
00:31Our report brings you all the sides of this unfolding story.
00:36On one of Florida's busiest highways on August 12, a sudden illegal U-turn triggered a tragedy that claimed three lives and changed the future of a truck driver of Indian origin,
00:48while also raising far-reaching questions for the U.S. trucking industry.
00:52Since that fateful moment, the case has evolved into a complex story of law, politics, migration, and justice.
01:01Stretching from the highways of Florida to communities in the Indian state of Punjab,
01:06the driver, Harajinder Singh, has been charged with making the illegal U-turn.
01:11That resulted in a fatal crash with a minivan.
01:15While it claimed lives, Singh and his co-passenger were seemingly unharmed.
01:19Following the crash, Singh fled to California.
01:22But was soon arrested by U.S. Marshals and extradited back to Florida last week.
01:28He now reportedly faces six felony charges including vehicular homicide and manslaughter.
01:35The first arrest warrant is for three counts of vehicular homicide.
01:39With a possible prison sentence of up to 45 years.
01:43Over the weekend, Singh was denied bond by a Florida judge, who called him an unauthorized alien and a substantial flight risk,
01:52ordering him to remain in custody throughout legal proceedings.
01:56Singh allegedly entered the United States illegally in 2018.
02:01Despite reports that he failed both English proficiency and road sign tests,
02:05he still managed to obtain commercial driver's licenses and a work permit.
02:09The revelation sparked a political backlash with California's administration clashing with the Trump government.
02:16Last week, the Trump administration abruptly suspended the issuance of U.S. visas for foreign-born truck drivers.
02:23But online, the Florida truck crash has sparked fierce debates and petitions.
02:27Over two million people have signed in support of leniency, describing the crash as a tragic mistake rather than a crime.
02:35The petition posted on change.org and addressed to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis urges him and state authorities to re-examine the case.
02:44But the online support has not gone unchallenged.
02:46A counter-petition has called for the deportation of Singh's supporters, arguing that those pushing for leniency in his case not only undermine the legal system,
02:56but also pose a potential threat to public safety.
03:00Thousands of miles away, Singh's family in Punjab reportedly pleaded for a lenient punishment, citing his age and bad luck.
03:08Political leaders in Punjab have appealed to New Delhi to take up the case with Washington and ensure Harjinder Singh's rights are protected.
03:16They've also urged the government to protect Punjabi truck drivers in the U.S., ensuring they are not discriminated against due to his mistake.
03:25And the call for action is not limited to Indian leaders.
03:28The Canadian Trucking Alliance has urged Ottawa to step in, calling for immediate measures to address immigration-related challenges in the industry.
03:36As legal proceedings continue and policymakers weigh in, the case's broader impact remains uncertain.
03:43What began as a single moment on a busy highway has now grown into a multifaceted story involving many stakeholders.
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