Aug 24, 07:53 PM

Petition Nears 2.5 Million Seeking Leniency for Florida Trucker Harjinder Singh

An online petition demanding clemency for Harjinder Singh, the Indian national accused of causing a triple-fatality crash on Florida’s Turnpike, has attracted almost 2.5 million signatures in less than two weeks. Posted on Change.org by a group calling itself “Collective Punjabi youth,” the appeal urges Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Board of Executive Clemency to consider counseling, community service or other alternatives to a lengthy prison term. Singh, 28, allegedly attempted an unauthorized U-turn while driving an 18-wheel tractor-trailer near Fort Pierce on 12 Aug., blocking oncoming lanes and leading to a collision that killed all three occupants of a minivan. He was arrested in Stockton, California on 16 Aug., extradited to Florida, and ordered held without bond on 22 Aug. He faces three counts each of vehicular homicide and manslaughter, carrying a combined maximum sentence of 45 years. Supporters of the petition argue the incident was a tragic accident rather than a deliberate act, noting Singh’s lack of prior criminal record. Detractors, including victims’ families and conservative advocacy groups, say the online campaign minimizes the severity of the crash. Florida officials have not commented on whether the petition will influence prosecutorial or clemency decisions. The case has already triggered policy fallout in Washington. Secretary of State Marco Rubio last week suspended the issuance of new work visas for foreign commercial truck drivers, citing safety concerns. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has opened an inquiry into how states verify language proficiency and road-sign comprehension before issuing commercial driver licenses.