Attorney General James Uthmeier issues subpoenas and legal demands as new legislation seeks to tighten CDL requirements for lawful residency and English proficiency.
In a multi-pronged response to a tragic fatal accident on the Florida Turnpike, state officials are taking aggressive legal and legislative actions. The moves follow a deadly crash on August 12, 2025, in which Harjinder Singh, an Indian national living in the U.S. unlawfully, allegedly caused a collision that killed three people after making an illegal U-turn in his semi-truck.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced Thursday a new legal offensive, revealing he has issued a criminal subpoena to Singh’s employer, White Hawk Carriers, a Ceres, California-based company.
The Attorney General also issued legal demands to the states of California and Washington, where Singh’s commercial driver’s license (CDL) was reportedly issued.
Singh faces three manslaughter charges and three counts of vehicular homicide and is currently held without bond, potentially facing up to 90 years in prison before deportation.
READ :Florida Senator Moody Introduces ‘Safer Truckers Act’ After Fatal Turnpike Crash
“If you’re a commercial truck driver in America, being able to competently read the road signs in English isn’t optional… it’s the job,” said Senator Ashley Moody, who, in a separate but related effort, has introduced the “Safer Truckers Act.”
The bill is designed to close what she calls dangerous loopholes in the CDL issuance process. It would require applicants to prove lawful U.S. residency and would mandate strict adherence to English proficiency standards.
The proposed legislation would add two key requirements for states to receive federal transportation funds:
- Residency Requirement: CDLs would only be issued to U.S. citizens, legal permanent residents, or valid work visa holders.
- English Proficiency Enforcement: States would be required to report on their efforts to uphold English proficiency standards.
Failure to comply would risk a state’s eligibility for federal funding, a mechanism Moody says is intended to “force compliance from sanctuary states like California and Washington.”
READ: Florida Gov. DeSantis Gloats As Court Reverses ‘Leftist’ Judge, Keeps ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ Open
An investigation revealed that Singh had obtained his CDL despite having very limited English skills, reportedly failing a Department of Transportation (DOT) English Language Proficiency assessment. This revelation has brought renewed scrutiny to the licensing process, particularly in states that may be less stringent with their requirements.
The case has also drawn the attention of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who previously announced he sent Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins to California to ensure Singh’s extradition to Florida.
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