Florida road crash: Tarn Taran family reacts after social backlash against arrested truck driver Harjinder Singh

On August 12, Harjinder (30), who migrated to the US in 2018 through the dunki route — a network of human smuggling operations — allegedly took an illegal U-turn on the Florida Turnpike while driving a commercial trailer truck. The collision resulted in three fatalities at the scene. A video of the crash was circulated widely on social media.

Harjinder was arrested and US immigration officials issued a deportation order. He is expected to serve a prison sentence before being sent back to India.

Following the incident, the US on Thursday moved to halt the issuance of visas for commercial truck drivers after criticism intensified over foreign workers on American roads. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the suspension on X: “The increasing number of foreign drivers operating large tractor-trailer trucks on US roads is endangering American lives and undercutting the livelihoods of American truckers.”

At Rataul village in Tarn Taran district, the news has spread like wildfire. Harmel Singh, who lives near Harjinder’s family’s residence, said, “The principle of natural justice must be followed. One should be punished for the mistake or crime committed. Right now, Harjinder is being targeted with hate speech because of his skin colour. We believe the US justice system is fair and hope he will be punished only for the error he made on the road.”

Harjinder’s mother has confined herself to a room since the news reached them. The family owns around eight acres of farmland. Harjinder’s father died in 2020, but since his status in the US was not regularised, he did not return to attend the funeral.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Harjinder had made the illegal turn on the highway about 80 km north of West Palm Beach. A car in the neighbouring lane was unable to avoid the truck’s trailer and slammed into it. Harjinder and a passenger in his truck were not injured.

The US federal government has asked that he be transferred to ICE custody after his criminal case is complete. According to news agency AFP, federal officials said Harjinder had entered the country illegally from Mexico and failed an English test after the crash.

A government lawyer has been assigned to Harjinder, and his family and friends will be allowed to meet him on August 27.

According to those close to him, Harjinder entered the US in 2018, not long after completing his schooling in India and paying around Rs 22 lakh to an agent.

Tejinder said the family has a 12–13 acre farm where they grow vegetables, wheat and paddy.

Harjinder’s friend Gursewak Singh said, “He did not go to the US out of necessity but, like many young men, to build a better life. When we last spoke, about 10–15 days before this incident, he told me he planned to return to India in around two years.”

“He first went to Dubai and from there to Nicaragua. His agent was good and he didn’t face much trouble in reaching Mexico by road, from where he crossed over to the US. It took him around one-and-a-half months. He was earning good money,” said Gursewak.