Illegal Given Commercial Driver’s License By California’s Newsom Charged In Fatal Semi Truck Crash

An illegal immigrant who reportedly obtained a commercial driver’s license in California under Governor Gavin Newsom’s policies has been charged in connection with a deadly crash in Florida that killed three people.

This individual is an illegal immigrant who was granted a commercial driver’s license by the State of California — and now, three innocent people are dead.

He has been arrested for vehicular homicide and an ICE detainer has been issued. https://t.co/6NkliBDdSl

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) August 17, 2025

The Florida Highway Patrol said the accident occurred on August 12 just south of the St. Lucie County line. Harjinder Singh, 35, was driving a semi tractor-trailer with a box trailer when he attempted to make an illegal U-turn in an “official use only” area of the Florida Turnpike. As the truck crossed over all northbound lanes, an oncoming Chrysler Town & Country minivan collided with the trailer and became lodged underneath. The crash killed all three passengers: a 30-year-old man from Florida City, a 37-year-old woman from Pompano Beach, and a 54-year-old man from Miami.

Authorities confirmed Singh entered the United States illegally through the southern border in 2018. Despite his immigration status, he was able to obtain a California commercial driver’s license, thanks to state laws expanding eligibility for undocumented immigrants. California has allowed illegal immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses since 2013 under AB 60, passed during Governor Jerry Brown’s tenure. Governor Newsom later extended this policy with AB 1766 in 2022, granting even more undocumented immigrants access to state-issued IDs.

Newsom’s push to expand privileges for illegal immigrants has been controversial. While his office claimed the laws promoted “inclusion and meaningful participation,” critics have long warned that extending licenses to those in the country unlawfully could lead to dangerous outcomes. This latest case highlights those concerns, as Singh’s California-issued CDL allowed him to operate a large commercial truck despite his unlawful entry.

The fatal crash has fueled renewed debate over California’s permissive licensing laws and their national consequences, as Singh left California and caused devastation in Florida. Meanwhile, Newsom has positioned himself as one of the fiercest critics of President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement, even filing lawsuits against the administration when Trump federalized the California National Guard to respond to violent anti-ICE protests.

This tragedy now places a spotlight on the intersection of state-level sanctuary policies and nationwide public safety, raising questions about how many others like Singh may be driving heavy trucks on America’s highways under Newsom’s laws.