US: Indian-origin truck driver’s U-turn in kills 3; Trump camp labels him “Illegal Immigrant”
Babushahi Bureau
Washington DC (US), August 18 – Three people were killed on Florida’s Turnpike on Saturday after a semi-truck, driven by Harjinder Singh, an Indian-origin man, attempted an illegal U-turn and caused a major collision in St. Lucie County.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the semi-truck attempted to make a U-turn at an “Official Use Only” cut-through while in the right lane of the northbound Turnpike. The truck jackknifed and landed on top of a Chrysler Town & Country van, crushing the vehicle and blocking multiple lanes.
Emergency responders from St. Lucie Fire Rescue rushed to the scene but could not save the passengers of the van. The victims were identified as a 30-year-old man from Florida City, a 37-year-old woman from Pompano Beach, and a 54-year-old man from Miami. All three were declared dead at the site of the accident.
The driver, reported to be of Sikh origin, survived the crash and is under investigation. Authorities have not yet confirmed his immigration status.
Trump Campaign Reacts
In the aftermath, former U.S. President Donald Trump’s campaign described the driver as an “illegal immigrant,” bringing immigration politics into the spotlight once again. The Trump team’s remarks have triggered criticism from Indian-American groups, who called the comments “premature and irresponsible.”