Victims Identified in Florida Turnpike Crash That Killed Three

A truck driver is facing three counts of manslaughter after a crash on the Florida Turnpike that killed three people. NBC Miami reports that Harjinder Singh “faces three counts of vehicular homicide in the crash that happened when he allegedly tried to make an illegal U-turn on the Turnpike near mile marker 170 on Aug. 12. The truck was attempting the maneuver in a turn-around area marked for ‘official use only,’ when it crossed in front of a Chrysler Town & Country minivan.”

The driver of the minivan was unable to avoid the truck and crashed, with photos from the scene showing the vehicle wedged underneath the truck. The minivan’s driver was airlifted to HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital, where he died from his injuries. The two passengers in the minivan were declared dead at the scene.

NBC further reports:

Singh’s passenger told investigators he was watching videos on his phone and wasn’t paying attention when the crash happened.

He said the GPS was instructing them to head north to an exit and then head south to Miami, and he was unsure why Singh was trying to make a U-turn, the affidavits said.

The passenger added that they’d gotten rest and Singh didn’t seem tired while he was driving, the affidavits said.

A warrant was issued on Aug. 15 for Singh, who was arrested in California on three counts of vehicular homicide and three counts of manslaughter.

Officials said that after they obtained an arrest warrant for Singh, an investigation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement revealed that he had been living in the U.S. illegally since 2018, after he crossed the border from Mexico.

Victims of the Fort Pierce collision identified

Now, the victims have been identified. CBS News reports that the three people killed in the truck accident were “Haitian immigrants who previously lived in South Florida and were returning home.” Herby Dufresne, 30, Faniola Joseph, 37, and Rodrigue Dor, 54, all lost their lives in the crash.

Dufresne had legal status under Haiti’s Temporary Protected Status designation, which allowed him to live and work lawfully in the U.S. Friends say he was an incredibly hard worker, supporting his family back home, including a young daughter, and chasing the American dream.

Dor and Joseph had also lived in South Florida. Dufresne and Dor were roommates in Indiana but returned to Florida for personal reasons during this tragic trip.

At Hickey Law Firm, our hearts go out to the families of Herby, Rodrigue, and Faniola. These were individuals chasing better lives, cut down unnecessarily on Florida’s Turnpike.

Herby was a father, a son, someone striving to build a future for his child and loved ones. Rodrigue and Faniola shared dreams of stability and safety. Their lives mattered. Their stories must not become just another tragic headline.

Rights of families under Florida wrongful death law

We believe every family deserves comprehensive support, emotionally, medically, and legally, when faced with such loss. Whether they’re immigrants, citizens, workers, or parents, victims of negligent accidents have rights under Florida law.

At Hickey Law Firm, we understand the emotional upheaval families go through after such an unexpected tragedy. We know the law, especially regarding truck accidents and wrongful death and we believe complex issues, like immigration status, licensing, and interstate liability, shouldn’t block access to justice. Our team works with experts, from accident reconstructionists to economic analysts, to build strong, evidence-based cases.

We don’t just see a file number. We see Herby’s daughter, who lost her father, Rodrigue’s community devastated, and Faniola’s future that was stolen. We see the need to hold negligent parties accountable and push for safer practices for every driver and every family.

At Hickey Law Firm, we talk a lot about negligence; what it is, how it causes harm, and what can be done when it leads to tragedy. This crash is a heartbreaking example of what happens when too many people and systems fail at once. Let’s be clear: this wasn’t just “an accident.” This was a deadly chain of poor decisions.

• A truck driver who shouldn’t have been behind the wheel.
• A dangerous U-turn made in a place clearly marked as off-limits.
• A lack of oversight from states that issued commercial licenses to someone who couldn’t understand English-language road signs.

This crash was avoidable. That’s what makes it even harder for the families left behind.

Imagine being Herby’s young daughter, growing up without her father. Imagine the families of Rodrigue and Faniola, receiving that awful phone call and knowing nothing will ever be the same. Imagine the shock and grief that rippled through South Florida’s Haitian community, a community full of people chasing better lives, only to lose loved ones to such an avoidable event.

We can’t bring these victims back. But we can ask tough questions. And we can push for answers.

Licensing oversights expose disturbing failures

The crash has raised some serious red flags about how commercial truck drivers are vetted and trained in this country. In theory, every CDL holder should be fully qualified to operate large trucks. That means understanding safety rules, reading signs, and following the law. But Singh had trouble doing all of those things. How did that slip through the cracks?

Officials in Washington and California are now facing scrutiny for issuing commercial licenses to someone with limited English skills and no legal immigration status. But this isn’t just about paperwork; it’s about public safety.

Every time someone gets behind the wheel of an 18-wheeler, they’re responsible for the lives of all around them. If they can’t read the signs or understand traffic laws, they pose a danger to everyone on the road.

Accidents like this are rare, but they’re not random. They happen when people cut corners, break rules, or ignore warning signs. They happen when systems fail to screen, train, and supervise properly. And they happen when we stop paying attention to the very real human cost of poor decisions.

Our hearts are with the families of the victims, and with everyone who’s been shaken by this horrific crash. We will continue to advocate for those affected by truck accidents in Florida, whether they’re citizens, immigrants, workers, or simply people trying to make it home safely.

Every life on the road matters. And every family affected by a tragedy like this deserves justice, dignity, and a voice. If your family has been affected by a serious truck accident in Florida, know this: You’re not alone. At Hickey Law Firm, we’re here to listen, help, and fight for what’s right. Call Hickey Law Firm today, or fill out our contact form and schedule a free consultation with a Florida truck accident lawyer. We take personal injury and wrongful death cases on a contingency basis.