Stockton, Calif. (WFLA) – Lt. Col. Jay Collins went to California on Thursday to escort a semi-truck driver accused of killing three people in a crash crash on the Turnpike back to Florida.
“I’m here today because of tragedy,” Collins said. “Three lives have been lost. The lives of three Florida have ended early.”
The Florida Highway Safety Department said Haljinder Singh, 28, of California, was driving a semi-truck on the Florida Turnpike in St. Lucie County on Tuesday, August 12th.
Officials said the minivan driver could not be slowed down in time and was wedged under the truck.
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Two passengers in the minivan died at the scene. The driver was taken to the hospital, where he later died of injuries.
Investigators at FLHSMV later said they learned that Singh had illegally entered the United States in 2018, when he crossed the Mexican border. He then obtained a commercial driver’s license in California.
Collins said he returned to California after Singh crashed.
He also stated that after Singh was pulled for a crash, Singh could properly answer only three of the 16 questions.
“Why was he driving in the first place?” Collins asked. “He didn’t have basic proficiency in English. He didn’t know any road signs, but he drives huge vehicles all across our state. I’m not exaggerating. I can’t say this enough.
Collins then explained why he wanted to personally escort Shin to Florida.
“I’m tired of others. The other governors are stepping up and taking accountable and not taking illegal immigration seriously,” Collins said. “We are here today. This man returns to Florida, faces justice, and three innocent lives will be justice worthy of lost justice. Three lives have been lost because of Gavin Newsom because of the failure of California’s policy.
