Petition Gathering Millions of Signatures for Florida Truck Driver

A petition urging leniency for an undocumented Indian truck driver involved in a fatal crash in Florida has garnered 2.2 million signatures, according to a report by The New York Post.

The petition, initiated by Manisha Kaushal and endorsed by a group called “Group Punjab Youth,” calls on Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to grant clemency to Harjinder Singh if he is found guilty. It emphasizes that, while accountability is important, the serious charges he faces do not align with the circumstances of the incident. “This was a tragic accident, not an intentional act,” the petition asserts.

Singh, 28, could face up to 45 years in prison after being charged with vehicle homicide. He was arrested following a collision on August 12, during which his truck reportedly made an illegal turn on the Florida Turnpike, leading to the deaths of three individuals.

The petition’s momentum has been swift. “More than 2 million people are showing support for Harjinder Singh,” a recent tweet from change.org noted.

Back in Punjab, India, Singh’s parents are appealing for compassion. “He’s only 28 years old. If he ends up in prison for 45 years, it will devastate our family,” a family member shared with the Times of India.

Following the incident, Florida Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a freeze on driver visas for foreign commercial truck operators, warning that they pose risks to public safety and threaten jobs held by American truck drivers. In response, Indian MP Hashimurat Kaur Badal expressed concerns that broad actions against foreign drivers could harm trucking families and be viewed as discriminatory.

After the accident, Singh fled to California but was apprehended and returned to Florida. The Department of Homeland Security has classified him as a “significant threat to public safety” and denied him bond. His immigration status remains unresolved as the legal proceedings continue.