Truck driver accused of killing three on highway was unsuccessful in English and traffic sign tests

Truck Driver Accused of Fatal Accident Lacks English Skills

A truck driver, who entered the U.S. illegally, is facing charges after being involved in a highway accident that resulted in three fatalities. Haljinder Singh, an Indian national living in the U.S. without authorization, allegedly made illegal U-turns on Florida highways, leading to the crash.

Investigators have discovered that Singh’s ability to communicate in English and recognize American traffic signs is severely lacking. During a proficiency assessment overseen by the Federal Motor Vehicle Carrier Safety Agency, he answered only two questions correctly out of twelve during an oral exam. He also managed to identify just one out of four traffic signs.

Sean Duffy, the Secretary of the Department of Transportation, stated that individuals like Singh should not be permitted to hold a commercial driver’s license. He criticized the Sanctuary Act for allowing Singh to continue driving.

Duffy pointed out that had the proper protocols been followed, Singh would not have been able to operate a vehicle, potentially saving the lives of the three victims. He noted that this incident was a preventable tragedy caused by poor choices and significant failures in the system.

Singh reportedly made a U-turn at an access point meant for official use only, which blocked all lanes and resulted in the accident. Florida law enforcement has issued a criminal arrest warrant against him for the three vehicle homicides.

Through a collaboration with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, state investigators found that Singh entered the U.S. illegally from Mexico in 2018 and later acquired a commercial driver’s license in California. This incident has reignited discussions around illegal immigration enforcement and the standards for highway safety.

The Trump administration had previously criticized California for issuing commercial driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants. The Department of Transportation’s preliminary findings indicate that both Washington and New Mexico may have violated federal safety regulations.

Dan Holvas, COO of the American Truck Transport Association, expressed his concerns, describing the situation as a shocking tragedy. He emphasized that the ongoing investigation must address how a commercial driver’s license was issued in the first place to someone in such circumstances.

English proficiency has been highlighted as an essential requirement by the White House. A presidential order issued in April called for stricter English standards for truck drivers. The DOT has confirmed that the investigation is still active and will aid federal authorities in understanding the full circumstances surrounding this incident.