An accident on Florida’s Turnpike involving a truck driver without proper documentation, who held a license issued in California, has led to a lawsuit after the tragic death of three individuals.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The attorney general of Florida has initiated legal proceedings against California and Washington, alleging that these states are violating federal safety and immigration regulations by granting commercial driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants.
The lawsuit claims that the sanctuary policies in California and Washington hinder state agencies from confirming immigration status, thereby permitting unqualified drivers to operate on public roads.
This legal action comes in the wake of a deadly incident on Florida’s Turnpike in August. The driver involved, who was undocumented and licensed in both California and Washington, executed an illegal U-turn, resulting in the fatalities.
“The driver couldn’t communicate in English,” remarked Florida Attorney General, James Uthmeier. “He was unable to read road signs and shouldn’t have received a commercial driver’s license at all.”
The lawsuit further asserts that these states have “elected to disregard these standards, allowing illegal immigrants without adequate training or the ability to comprehend road signs to operate commercial vehicles. While California and Washington may choose to jeopardize their own residents, the movement of these drivers across state lines poses a threat to citizens elsewhere.”
U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned earlier this year that states failing to enforce English language rules for commercial drivers risk losing federal highway funding. This week, the DOT announced it is withholding $40 million from California over the issue.
California’s governor’s office said the state is not named in the suit and maintains its licensing rules comply with federal law. Officials cited California’s commercial drivers as having a fatal crash rate nearly 40% below the national average.
California’s attorney general’s office said they are reviewing the lawsuit and will respond properly in court.
The case is now before the U.S. Supreme Court, which will decide if it will hear the lawsuit.
