New bodycam footage has added new scrutiny to the case of Harjinder Singh, the 28-year-old truck driver accused of causing a deadly crash in Florida earlier this month. Singh, who allegedly made an illegal U-turn that jackknifed his truck and killed three people, is facing three counts of vehicular homicide.
The video, captured during a July 3 traffic stop in New Mexico, shows Singh being cited for speeding while communicating with an officer in limited English. His struggles with language comprehension are now central to a broader national debate about English proficiency standards for commercial drivers.
What the Video Shows
- Singh was stopped for allegedly driving 60 mph in a 45-mph zone.
- Initially, the conversation with the officer was clear, but after signing paperwork Singh asked a question the officer struggled to understand.
- Singh attempted to clarify: “Maybe in this, this my ticket, on my license, how many years.”
- The officer eventually explained the ticket would remain on his license for five to seven years.
While the exchange appeared minor at the time, federal officials have since noted Singh failed an English Language Proficiency (ELP) assessment after the Florida crash, raising concerns about how he obtained and kept his commercial driver’s licenses.
Federal Rules and Enforcement
- Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced in May that drivers who cannot understand English will not be allowed to operate commercial vehicles.
- English proficiency tests became enforceable June 25, requiring inspectors to assess drivers during roadside stops if communication issues arise.
- According to the Department of Transportation, Singh passed only 2 of 12 verbal questions and recognized just 1 of 4 road signs when formally tested after the Florida crash.
State Response
New Mexico officials defended their enforcement policies, stating that:
- Officers were not provided standardized ELP testing procedures when the rules took effect.
- The guidance they received was vague — “You know when somebody doesn’t speak English.”
- Chief Troy Weisler explained that in Singh’s July 3 stop, the officer did not encounter communication issues that would have triggered an ELP test.
Weisler added that New Mexico kept federal regulators updated on its compliance process in July and August, prior to the Florida incident.
Singh’s Immigration and License History
- Singh entered the U.S. illegally in 2018 and later received a federal work permit.
- He was issued a full-term CDL in Washington in 2023, though federal law bars undocumented immigrants from holding such licenses.
- In 2024, he obtained a limited-term/non-domiciled CDL in California, which is now under federal review for compliance.
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