More than two million people have signed a petition calling for leniency for an Indian illegal migrant trucker accused of killing three people in a crash in Florida.
Harjinder Singh, 28, faces three charges of vehicular homicide and up to 45 years in prison after he allegedly an illegal U-turn on the Florida Turnpike on Aug. 12 while driving a tractor trailer — six years after he entered the US illegally.
Since his arrest in California, a Change.org petition calling for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to commute Singh’s sentence if he gets convicted has been signed 2.2 million times as of Sunday morning.
“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,” the petition reads.
Manisha Kaushal, the creator of the petition, signed it “Collective Punjabi youth,” and many of the commenters in support appear to be Indian nationals.
“It was an accident. he made a terrible mistake, not a deliberate choice to harm anyone. He was working hard to support his family, like so many of us, and one wrong decision changed everything. A 45-year prison sentence is not justice,” one commenter, Marvi, based in Sydney, Australia, wrote.
“45 yrs of imprisonment?? is it fair for a young boy who left his home country to have bright future, support family???” a second user based in Mississauga, Ontario, wrote.
Singh’s family in his home village in India’s Punjab region have also spoken out since news of his arrest, calling for him to get a more lenient sentence. --->READ MORE HERE
Harjinder Singh, the semi-truck driver accused of making an illegal U-turn on the Florida Turnpike that then caused a deadly crash, will remain in the St. Lucie County Jail while his court case proceeds.
Florida judge Lauren Sweet denied bond to Singh on Saturday morning, telling him through an interpreter that he was considered to be an unauthorized alien and a substantial flight risk. Singh kept his head down and did not talk during his hearing, according to a video of the proceeding which was shared via the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office's Facebook page.
According to the sheriff's office, Singh, who was previously charged with vehicular homicide, was also charged with manslaughter.
DHS: Singh's brother also arrested
Harneet Singh, 25, who is the brother of Harjuinder Singh, was arrested earlier this week by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on charges of vehicle homicide. DHS said in a news release that Harneet Singh was a passenger inside the semi-truck when the crash happened.
DHS also said that Harneet was an undocumented immigrant from India. He was arrested on Aug. 18 and would remain in custody pending removal proceedings, DHS said. DHS said that Border Patrol encountered Harneet in May 15, 2023, and alleged that he was released by the Biden Administration. Specific details on that encounter were not revealed in the news release. --->READ MORE HERE
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