A Florida crash has become a centre of political and international attention. On August 12, truck driver Harjinder Singh, of Indian origin, made an illegal U-turn on a busy highway, causing a collision that killed three people. Singh fled to California but was arrested by US Marshals and extradited to Florida, now facing six felony charges, including vehicular homicide and manslaughter, with a possible 45-year prison sentence. Allegedly entering the US illegally in 2018, Singh had obtained a commercial driver's licence despite failing required tests. The incident led the US to suspend visas for foreign commercial truck drivers. The case has prompted divided online petitions, political appeals in the Indian state of Punjab, and policy debates in the US.
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Florida Truck Crash | Florida Car Crash | US Car Crash | Harjinder Singh | Firstpost | News Live | World News | Latest News | Global News | International News | News | Trending News
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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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