PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — The truck driver who caused a deadly crash that claimed the lives of three innocent travelers remains behind bars.
Now, we’re learning new information about the driver involved in the illegal U-turn crash on the Florida Turnpike.
We spoke with one of Herby Dufrense’s close family friends, who says he was from Haiti, living in the U.S. under former President Biden’s Humanitarian Parole Program, which allowed people from several countries, including Haiti, to come live and work in the U.S. legally.
His family is now having to take legal action to claim his body from the state.
The other two victims from the crash have been identified as Faniola Joseph and Rodrigue Dor.
Dufresne’s friend said he lived in Indiana but was in Miami for a work trip the week of the crash.
His mother lives in Haiti and since he was not married, only his mother can claim his body.
This turnpike crash happened Aug. 12 and troopers since revealed the semi-truck driver they say is responsible is in the country illegally.
He has been identified as 28-year-old Hardinger Singh.
This crash has sparking new enforcement efforts from state and federal officials.
Investigators say Singh made an illegal U-turn on the turnpike, north of West Palm Beach, causing the crash that killed all three people.
Officials say Singh crossed into the United States illegally over the Mexican border in 2018, and was able to obtain commercial driver’s licenses from both Washington and California.
Now Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier is asking the federal government to revoke the CDL programs in those two states.
“Our office is investigating both the actions of other sanctuary jurisdictions, as well as the agents and companies that we know provided these exams or lack thereof,” said Uthmeier.
Uthmeier also alleged Singh doesn’t speak English and can’t identify basic road symbols.
“If you can’t read street signs, how are you going drive large commercial vehicles, 18-wheelers, tractor trailers, in a safe manner,” he said.
As a result of this high-profile crash, state leaders are now setting up ICE and English proficiency checkpoints at different weigh stations across our state.
Singh is still in the Saint Lucie County Jail, being held on no bond, after facing a judge last weekend.
Also, the state department is now stopping all visa applications for foreign workers looking to come to the U.S. as truck drivers.
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