Undocumented Driver Accused in Florida Crash Is Denied Bond
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FORT PIERCE, Fla. — A truck driver accused of making an illegal U-turn that killed three people in Florida on Aug. 12 was denied bond Aug. 23.
The crash sparked a clash between U.S. Department of ýland Security and California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom over Harjinder Singh, a native of India, obtaining a work permit and driver’s license in the state. The Trump administration says Singh was in the U.S. illegally.
Singh was charged with three state counts of vehicular homicide and immigration violations, and he was denied bond on all charges. He is being held in the St. Lucie County Jail, Lt. Andrew Bolonka from the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office said. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has put a hold on him.
ýland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said issuing a commercial license to someone in the country illegally is “asinine.” California is one of 19 states, in addition to the District of Columbia, that issues licenses regardless of immigration status. Supporters say that lets people work, visit doctors and travel safely.
. who was President in 2018? — Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice)
Newsom’s press office responded on X that Singh obtained a work permit while Donald Trump was president, which McLaughlin disputed.
Florida authorities said Singh entered the U.S. illegally from Mexico in 2018.
READ MORE:US Freezes Work Visas for Commercial Truck Drivers
Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis dispatched Lt. Gov. Jay Collins to California to escort Singh onto an airplane Aug. 21.
Singh made the illegal turn on the highway about 50 miles north of West Palm Beach, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. A minivan in the neighboring lane was unable to avoid the truck’s trailer and slammed into it, killing the minivan’s driver and two passengers.
Singh and a passenger in his truck were not injured.
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