"The incident was a catastrophe, not a criminal act," the petition states.
An online petition attributed to a group calling itself “Punjabi youth” has drawn more than 1.7 million signatures, calling on federal authorities to release Harjinder Singh, an undocumented immigrant truck driver convicted in a deadly Florida crash.
Singh was behind the wheel of an 18-wheeler when he attempted a U-turn on Florida’s Turnpike, causing a collision that left three Americans dead. The case sparked outrage from victims’ families and advocacy groups, who say Singh’s actions warrant the full weight of the law.
In response to the crash, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced this week an immediate pause on issuing worker visas for commercial truck drivers, citing safety concerns and the need to protect American truckers’ jobs.
"Effective immediately we are pausing all issuance of worker visas for commercial truck drivers," Rubio said. "The increasing number of foreign drivers operating large tractor-trailer trucks on U.S. roads is endangering American lives and undercutting the livelihoods of American truckers."
The Department of Transportation revealed last week that Singh 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.
"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," Duffy said. "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."
The full petition reads as follows:
To: Governor Ron DeSantis
Office of the Governor of Florida
The Capitol, 400 S. Monroe Street,
Tallahassee, FL 32399-000
We, the undersigned, urge Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Board of Executive Clemency to re-examine and reduce the sentence for a 28-year-old truck driver involved in a fatal U-turn crash on Florida’s Turnpike in South Florida. This was a tragic accident — not a deliberate act. While accountability matters, the severity of the charges against him does not align with the circumstances of the incident.
Key Considerations & Precedent:
No criminal intent or history: The incident was a catastrophe, not a criminal act. The driver has no prior record and fully cooperated with authorities.
Aproportionate sentencing:That guy should be given the harshest possible punishment, please."
Relevant precedent—Aguilera‑Mederos case: In Colorado, a driver, Rogel Aguilera‑Mederos, initially received a 110-year sentence for a fatal crash resulting in four deaths. Following a massive public outcry and a petition that garnered over 5 million signatures, Governor Jared Polis commuted his sentence to 10 years, with parole eligibility after five years (The Guardian, ABC, CBS News).
Judicial acknowledgment of unfairness: In that case, even the sentencing judge admitted that the mandatory minimum sentencing laws compelled him to impose the lengthy term and that “if I had the discretion… it would not be my sentence.” (Interrogating Justice, Wikipedia). Demonstrated effectiveness of public advocacy: The Aguilera-Mederos case illustrates how collective voices can catalyze justice reform.
Petition Requests:
That guy should be given the harshest possible punishment, and reasonable term, reflective of the circumstances and comparable to the Aguilera‑Mederos precedent. Grant parole eligibility after serving a fair portion of the reduced term, promoting rehabilitation and fairness. Consider alternative sentencing options, such as restorative justice measures, counseling, or community service, aligning with both accountability and compassion.
Conclusion: By granting clemency, you would reaffirm the value of proportional justice, the power of community advocacy, and the potential for rehabilitation. We believe this case is not just about one individual—it speaks to the broader principles of fairness and mercy in the justice system.
With deep respect and hope,
Collective Punjabi youth.
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Comments
2025-08-24T01:45-0400 | Comment by: Jeanne
I had a CDL for 25 years. Even without being able to read signs, ANY driver should be aware of the traffic around him and plan accordingly. Exactly WHY is his taking of 3 lives only worthy of community service, et al.? Bet those petitioners would feel differently if it were there loved ones who were killed. Needlessly, might I add. Singh isn’t a professional driver by any standards, but merely a semi-truck operator, and a poor one at that.