ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. — A truck driver has been charged with vehicular homicide and immigration violations after allegedly making an “illegal” U-turn on Florida’s Turnpike, leading to a fatal accident that claimed three lives, as reported by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

The incident took place on Tuesday, August 12, in St. Lucie County. Authorities stated that Harjinder Singh, who was driving the truck, attempted a U-turn at a “prohibited location” near Mile Marker 170, inadvertently driving into the path of a minivan.

The St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene and shared an image depicting the minivan lodged beneath the truck. Tragically, three individuals in the minivan perished due to the collision.

Troopers said Singh was driving “recklessly, and without regard for the safety of others.”

Singh is now charged with three counts of vehicular homicide. During the probe, authorities discovered that Singh had illegally entered the United States in 2018 and had obtained a commercial driver’s license from California. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has issued a detainer for Singh.

“The Defendant’s actions in operating a commercial vehicle are both appalling and unlawful,” stated FLHSMV Executive Director Dave Kerner. “His reckless conduct resulted in the deaths of three individuals, leaving an enduring impact on their friends and families who will feel this loss indefinitely.”

Troopers said when his charges concluded Singh will be deported.