Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced on Thursday that his office will issue civil and criminal subpoenas to the employer of Harjinder Singh, an illegal immigrant accused of causing a fatal crash. Uthmeier stated that the office is leveraging its legal tools to protect citizens and investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. The incident, which occurred on August 12, involved Singh, who officials claim crossed the U.S. border illegally and was granted a commercial driver’s license in California. Singh was charged with three counts of vehicular homicide after the crash on the Florida Turnpike in Fort Pierce.
The crash resulted from Singh’s attempt to make an unauthorized U-turn, which led to the trailer jackknifing and colliding with a minivan, resulting in the death of all three individuals inside the minivan. Singh was arrested in Stockton, California, and extradited to Florida, where he faces charges. Uthmeier highlighted that Singh may have lacked the English proficiency and training necessary to operate a commercial vehicle, noting that he should not have been licensed in the first place.
Uthmeier’s office is not only pursuing legal actions against Singh’s employer, White Hawk Carriers, but also issuing legal demands to California and Washington to gather information on how Singh was able to obtain his license. This move is part of a broader probe into the licensing practices of sanctuary jurisdictions that have provided commercial licenses to illegal immigrants. Uthmeier emphasized that the state is committed to ensuring that only qualified individuals receive these licenses, which require proper training and English proficiency.
In 2013, California lawmakers passed a law allowing residents to obtain driver’s licenses, regardless of immigration status. This policy has been a point of contention in the ongoing debate on immigration and driver’s license issuance. Fox News Digital reached out to White Hawk Carriers for comment, but as of now, no response has been received. Uthmeier’s statements have also drawn attention from media and advocacy groups, with some highlighting the need for stronger oversight of businesses that employ undocumented workers.
Throughout the investigation, Uthmeier has been vocal about the need to protect Florida’s citizens by ensuring that all drivers on the roads meet the necessary qualifications. He has pointed out that the legal system is being used to hold accountable those who may have contributed to the tragedy. The case has sparked discussions about the broader implications of providing commercial licenses to undocumented immigrants, especially in states that have been designated as sanctuary jurisdictions. As the legal proceedings continue, the case remains a focal point in the ongoing debate over immigration policies and the responsibilities of employers in ensuring workplace compliance and safety.