Things You Should Know About the Florida Truck Accident, Harjinder Singh, and the Company That Put Him Behind the Wheel
- lhpgop
- Aug 19, 2025
- 3 min read
1. The Crash That Shook Florida
On August 12, 2025, a tractor-trailer driven by Harjinder Singh made an illegal U-turn through a restricted “official use only” median on the Florida Turnpike near Fort Pierce. His 18-wheeler blocked all northbound lanes. A family’s minivan, unable to stop in time, slammed into the trailer. Three people were killed instantly.Dashcam video from inside Singh’s cab later revealed the recklessness of the maneuver — turning a tragedy into a national controversy.
2. Singh’s Shady Path Into the U.S.
2018 Entry: Singh crossed the southern border illegally and was detained. He claimed “credible fear” of returning to India, securing release on a $5,000 bond.
2020 Trump-Era Denial: His application for a federal work permit was denied under the Trump administration.
2021 Biden-Era Approval: Just months later, his request was approved under Biden. With that Employment Authorization Document (EAD), Singh could legally seek work despite lacking permanent status.
CDL in California: Armed with his EAD, Singh obtained a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) in California — a state with looser ID rules that has historically issued licenses to non-citizens.
Bottom line: A man whose asylum claims had not been resolved and whose immigration status was dubious was effectively greenlit to drive an 80,000-pound commercial vehicle on America’s highways.
3. The Employer: White Hawk Carriers
The company that hired Singh, White Hawk Carriers Inc., is based in California — and its record raises as many red flags as Singh himself.
Safety Violations: FMCSA inspection data shows above-average out-of-service rates for both vehicles and drivers. Hours-of-service violations, driver fitness concerns, and equipment issues have plagued the company.
Corporate Shadows: Industry watchdogs note that White Hawk’s ownership is murky, with suggestions of name-cycling (companies rebranding or reincorporating to escape past penalties). One report even pointed to links with a prior firm, “White Star Transport,” which was barred before White Hawk emerged.
Accountability Gap: While Singh has been charged with vehicular homicide, White Hawk has not faced direct legal consequences. This lack of corporate accountability fuels suspicion that the company is designed to absorb blame and vanish when necessary.
4. The Bigger Picture: Immigration & Trucking Loopholes
The Singh case illustrates how systemic loopholes combine to create deadly outcomes:
Immigration Gaps: Individuals awaiting resolution of asylum or deportation can still receive federal work permits.
Licensing Loopholes: States like California will issue commercial licenses if federal work permits exist — even if the person’s immigration status is unresolved.
Weak Oversight: The Commercial Driver’s License Information System (CDLIS) records who has a CDL, but it doesn’t check immigration eligibility. States handle verification, often inconsistently.
Shady Companies: Carriers with long violation histories continue operating, changing names when convenient, effectively gaming regulators.
5. Why This Matters
Three lives were lost because a driver who should never have been cleared to operate a commercial rig was hired by a carrier with a track record of questionable practices. Singh’s story is not just about one reckless U-turn — it’s about a system where lax immigration enforcement, permissive licensing laws, and shadowy trucking firms collide, putting ordinary Americans at risk every time they merge onto the highway.
Takeaway
The Florida Turnpike crash should be remembered not only for its human cost but as a wake-up call. Until the U.S. confronts the intersection of illegal immigration, regulatory loopholes, and corporate evasions in the trucking industry, tragedies like this will remain not an exception — but a grim possibility on America’s roads.
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