FORT PIERCE, Fla. — Harjinder Singh, a 28-year-old truck driver from India accused of causing a fiery crash that killed three people in Florida, appeared in court Thursday as his defense team requested new testing of evidence before trial.

According to Fox News, Singh faces multiple felony counts, including three counts of vehicular homicide, for allegedly making an illegal U-turn in his semi-truck on Florida’s Turnpike in August, resulting in a deadly collision with a van. Singh, who entered the U.S. illegally in 2018, was extradited to Florida after traveling to California following the crash.

During Thursday’s docket call before Judge Lawrence Mirman, Singh appeared virtually from jail. His attorneys asked the court to allow independent analysis of his blood samples and to inspect the vehicles involved before they are released from law enforcement custody. Prosecutors did not object, and both sides said they expect testing to be completed before the end of 2025.

The defense also requested additional time to review discovery materials, prompting the judge to grant a continuance. The next docket call is scheduled for January 15, 2026. Singh confirmed through an interpreter that he understood the proceedings.

Investigators previously revealed that Singh failed his commercial driver’s license (CDL) test 10 times in Washington state before passing in 2023. Records also showed he failed English and road sign exams, raising questions about whether he met federal safety and language requirements.

The Florida Attorney General’s Office said Singh’s limited English proficiency may have contributed to the crash. Bodycam footage from a July 3 traffic stop in New Mexico shows Singh struggling to communicate with an officer after being cited for speeding.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has cited the case as an example of what he calls “systemic failures” in enforcing English-language and licensing standards for truck drivers. “California is the only state in the nation that refuses to ensure big rig drivers can read our road signs and communicate with law enforcement,” Duffy said.

The case has reignited national debate over immigration enforcement, commercial licensing standards, and trucking safety regulations.

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