More than 2.4 million people have signed a Change.org petition calling for clemency for Harjinder Singh, a 28-year-old truck driver facing vehicular homicide charges after a fatal Florida Turnpike crash.
Singh of Stockton, California, and a native of India was denied bond on Saturday and faces up to 45 years in prison after allegedly making an illegal U-turn with his tractor-trailer on August 12, resulting in three deaths. He was arrested by U.S. Marshals in California last Saturday.
The petition, created by “Collective Punjabi youth,” specifically asks Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to reduce Singh’s potential sentence if convicted.
Newsweek reached out Collective Punjabi youth via Change.org online form and emailed DeSantis’ office on Sunday for comment.
Why It Matters
Under Florida law, vehicular homicide is a second-degree felony, punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
California’s Assembly Bill 60 (AB 60), enacted in 2015, allows undocumented immigrants to apply for a driver’s license if they can provide proof of identity and California residency. These licenses are marked “not for federal identification.”
The case has sparked a political clash between federal immigration authorities and California officials over driver’s license policies for undocumented immigrants. The dispute centers on conflicting claims about Singh’s work authorization, with federal officials maintaining Singh was in the country illegally when California issued his commercial driver’s license, while Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom‘s office says Singh obtained proper work permits in 2018 during President Donald Trump‘s first administration.
What To Know
Singh allegedly made an illegal U-turn on the Florida Turnpike near Fort Pierce, causing a head-on collision with a minivan carrying three occupants. All three victims—a 37-year-old woman from Pompano Beach, a 54-year-old man from Miami, and a 30-year-old driver from Florida City—died from the crash. Singh’s brother was a passenger in the truck but was uninjured.
After the crash, Singh fled to California where he was later arrested. Florida Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins personally escorted Singh back to Florida for prosecution. Singh now faces three counts of vehicular homicide, each carrying a 15-year sentence under Florida law, plus federal immigration violations.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has described Singh as “a significant threat to public safety” and denied him bond. Singh originally entered the U.S. illegally in 2018 after mortgaging his land in India, was detained by Border Patrol, and released on $5,000 bond, the New York Post reported. He claimed fear of violence if he returned to India and was granted permission to stay and work while his case proceeded.
Supporters on Change.org emphasize Singh has no prior criminal record and fully cooperated with authorities, arguing the incident was “a catastrophe, not a criminal act.” Clemency advocates specifically request three outcomes: a reduced sentence comparable to precedent cases, parole eligibility after serving a fair portion of any reduced term, and consideration of alternative sentencing options including restorative justice measures, counseling, or community service.
The petition draws direct parallels to the 2021 Rogel Aguilera-Mederos case in Colorado, where a trucker initially received 110 years for a fatal crash involving four deaths. After over 5 million people signed a petition, Governor Jared Polis reduced the sentence to 10 years with parole eligibility after five years.
What People Are Saying
Petition creator Collective Punjabi youth on Change.org: “We, the undersigned, urge Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Board of Executive Clemency to re-examine and reduce the sentence for a 28-year-old truck driver involved in a fatal U-turn crash on Florida’s Turnpike in South Florida. This was a tragic accident—not a deliberate act. While accountability matters, the severity of the charges against him does not align with the circumstances of the incident.”
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement: “How many more innocent people must die before Gavin Newsom stops playing games with the safety of the American public? We pray for the victims and their families. Secretary Noem and DHS are working around the clock to protect the public and get these criminal illegal aliens out of America.”
American Trucking Associations Chief Operating Officer Dan Horvath previously told Newsweek: “This incident underscores the importance and urgency of the work that the Trump Administration is doing to audit CDL issuances nationwide, in addition to its enhanced enforcement of English-language proficiency—a fundamental requirement for operating commercial vehicles in interstate commerce.”
White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said: “This recent news is a devastating tragedy made even worse by the fact that it was totally preventable. Illegal aliens that have no legal right to be in our country certainly should not be granted commercial drivers licenses. Gavin Newscum’s pro-illegal alien policies have deadly consequences. Yet he continues to double down and put illegals over American citizens.”
Conservative commentator Charlie Kirk shared the video on X and wrote: “Deport him to CECOT for life. And then strip California of every federal dollar for as long as it takes. Rogue states must not be allowed to continue shielding, coddling, and licensing illegals.”
What Happens Next?
Singh will face prosecution on state vehicular homicide charges while simultaneously undergoing federal deportation proceedings.
If convicted, Singh’s legal team could formally request clemency from DeSantis and the Florida Board of Executive Clemency.
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