“If states had followed the rules, this driver would never have been behind the wheel, and three precious lives would still be with us,” said Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.
The Department of Transportation has revealed that Harjinder Singh, an illegal immigrant truck driver charged with killing three people in a fatal crash on a Florida highway, failed an English Language Proficiency (ELP) test during a post-accident interview, accurately identifying just one of four highway traffic signs and answering just two of the 12 verbal questions correctly.
US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced in a press release on Tuesday that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has launched an investigation into the crash.
Secretary Duffy suggested that this tragedy could have been prevented had Democratic-run sanctuary states complied with federal immigration laws. The investigation will focus on Harjinder Singh, the truck driver, and White Hawk Carriers, Inc. Preliminary investigation results found that Singh did not speak English, and both Washington state and New Mexico violated FMCSA rules.
Singh has been charged with vehicular manslaughter after making a U-turn on a Florida highway from the right lane through a turnaround spot restricted for emergency use, resulting in a minivan in the left lane crashing into the trailer after it could not stop in time, and killing three passengers on impact.
"If states had followed the rules, this driver would never have been behind the wheel, and three precious lives would still be with us. This crash was a preventable tragedy directly caused by reckless decisions and compounded by despicable failures. Non-enforcement and radical immigration policies have turned the trucking industry into a lawless frontier, resulting in unqualified foreign drivers improperly acquiring licenses to operate 40-ton vehicles," said Sec. Duffy in a press release. "We will use every tool at our disposal to hold these states and bad actors accountable. President Trump and I will restore safety to our roads. The families of the deceased deserve justice."
During FMCSA's interview with Singh, investigators administered an English Language Proficiency (ELP) test, which Singh failed. According to the press release, Singh provided correct responses to only two of the 12 verbal questions and was able to accurately identify only one of four highway traffic signs.
On July 15, 2023, Washington state issued Singh a regular full-term Commercial Driver's License (CDL), which he did not qualify for based on his immigration status. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said that Singh is in the country illegally, and that the Trump administration rejected his work authorization in September 2020, before the Biden administration approved it in June 2021.
"Asylum seekers or individuals without legal status are NOT eligible for this type of license," the press release states.
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View on XSingh was also issued a limited-term/non-domiciled CDL on July 23, 2024, by the state of California. Additionally, officials said New Mexico State Police conducted a roadside inspection on July 3, 2025, which resulted in Singh receiving a speeding ticket. However, officers did not conduct an ELP assessment, which violates federal law.
Secretary Duffy stated earlier this year that the US Department of Transportation would be pulling federal funding for states that issue illegal immigrants drivers' licenses.
Members of the public can report immigration-related crimes or suspicious activity by calling (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.
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