Fatal Florida Crash Exposes Widespread Fraud in Commercial Trucking System

Illegal Driver, Chameleon Carrier Highlight Gaps in Federal Oversight

A deadly truck crash on Florida's Turnpike has exposed a web of regulatory failures that allowed an unqualified driver with fraudulent credentials to operate an 80,000-pound commercial vehicle, prompting federal investigations into both state licensing practices and the proliferation of so-called "chameleon carriers" that game the system to avoid safety oversight.

The Aug. 12 collision near Fort Pierce killed three people when Harjinder Singh, 28, made an illegal U-turn in his tractor-trailer, causing a minivan to slam into the side of his truck. Singh, who entered the United States illegally in 2018, somehow obtained commercial driver's licenses from both Washington and California despite federal requirements for lawful presence.

Federal investigators found that Singh failed an English proficiency test administered after the crash, providing correct responses to just two of 12 verbal questions and accurately identifying only one of four highway traffic signs. The test was required under regulations that have been on the books for decades but were not consistently enforced until this year.

The crash has drawn scrutiny to White Hawk Carriers Inc., the California-based company Singh was driving for, which investigators say appears to be a reincarnation of a previously shut-down operation. Corporate records show White Hawk Carriers was started by Navneet Kaur in 2016, but Kaur was also listed as a director for White Star Trucking out of Modesto, which closed in 2013.

Such "chameleon carriers" - companies that shut down and reopen under new names to avoid safety penalties - represent a growing threat to highway safety. Government data shows chameleon carriers are three times more likely to be involved in serious accidents than legitimate operators, yet the practice continues largely unchecked.

Federal Crackdown Underway

The Florida crash has prompted the most aggressive federal response to trucking fraud in years. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced a comprehensive investigation into both Singh and White Hawk Carriers, while also ordering reviews of how states issue commercial licenses to non-residents.

In May, Duffy signed an order reinstating strict enforcement of English proficiency requirements, reversing Obama-era guidance that had relaxed such oversight. Beginning June 25, commercial drivers who fail English proficiency tests are now placed out of service immediately.

The renewed enforcement has had immediate impact. Within the first 30 days of implementation, 1,500 drivers had their licenses placed out of service for failing English proficiency requirements.

Singh's case highlights multiple system failures. The Trump administration initially denied his work authorization in 2020, but the Biden administration later approved it in 2021. Despite lacking proper immigration status, Singh obtained CDLs from two states and was involved in multiple violations leading up to the fatal crash.

During a July roadside inspection in New Mexico, Singh received a speeding ticket but was not given the required English proficiency test, despite federal regulations mandating such assessments.

Pattern of State-Level Fraud

The Singh case is part of a broader pattern of CDL fraud that federal officials say has turned trucking into "a lawless frontier." In Florida, eight people including two state DMV employees were arrested in June for selling thousands of fraudulent driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants, including commercial licenses for operating tractor-trailers.

Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford said "hundreds, if not thousands" of driver's licenses, both commercial and passenger, were fraudulently issued over at least two years. The scheme involved state employees issuing licenses without required testing in exchange for cash payments.

Federal regulations generally prohibit states from issuing CDLs to individuals who are not U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents, though exceptions exist for those with work authorization. Many states allow undocumented immigrants to obtain regular driver's licenses but prohibit them from getting commercial licenses.

Chameleon Carriers Multiply

The White Hawk Carriers case exemplifies the chameleon carrier problem that has plagued federal regulators for years. These are trucking companies that shut down operations only to reopen with new names, using the same drivers and equipment while avoiding their previous safety records.

A 2012 Government Accountability Office report found that chameleon carrier applicants increased from 724 in 2005 to 1,200 in 2010, representing a 50% jump. With more than 109,000 new carrier authorities granted in 2021 alone, even a 1% rate of chameleon characteristics could mean over 1,100 problematic operators on the roads.

The practice is remarkably simple: A company with mounting safety violations simply shuts down and reopens under a new Department of Transportation number, often using similar names, addresses, and personnel. Analysis shows White Hawk and its related companies operated within a ten-minute drive of each other in California's Central Valley, sharing phone numbers, email addresses, and equipment.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration officials acknowledge the problem but say they lack the resources and technology to track all potential chameleon operations. Current rules prohibit carriers from registering for new DOT numbers to avoid penalties, but enforcement remains inconsistent.

Industry Calls for Reform

Legitimate trucking companies say fraudulent operators undercut their businesses while endangering public safety. The American Trucking Associations has supported the renewed English proficiency enforcement as a necessary safety measure.

"Every fraudulent carrier not only endangers lives, it also destroys the livelihoods of legitimate American drivers who play by the rules," said one industry executive, reflecting widespread frustration with regulatory gaps.

The problems extend beyond individual bad actors to systemic issues with commercial licensing. Industry experts note that the shift to automatic transmissions in commercial trucks has removed a natural screening mechanism for driver competency, further lowering barriers to entry.

Federal Response Intensifies

The Transportation Department has launched multiple investigations in response to the Florida crash. FMCSA investigators began on-site compliance investigations at White Hawk's California premises on Aug. 14, reviewing driver qualification files and obtaining crash footage.

White Hawk Carriers has since had its operating authority revoked and insurance cancelled, though officials acknowledge this may only prompt the operation to resurface under a new name.

Singh faces three counts of vehicular homicide and deportation. Florida Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins personally traveled to California to oversee Singh's extradition back to Florida, where he could face up to 45 years in prison if convicted.

The case has prompted renewed calls for comprehensive trucking reform, including standardized training requirements, enhanced background checks, and stricter penalties for chameleon carriers. As Secretary Duffy put it: "Non-enforcement and radical immigration policies have turned the trucking industry into a lawless frontier, resulting in unqualified foreign drivers improperly acquiring licenses to operate 40-ton vehicles."

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