‘No Deal’: DeSantis says 3 million signatures on petition for leniency towards driver in illegal u-turn will change nothing

Florida Governor Ron Desantis says there will be “no deal” for the truck driver in the now-infamous u-turn crash, despite the 3 million signatures on a petition promoting leniency. 

28-year-old Harjinder Singh was involved in an illegal u-turn crash in Florida earlier this month that killed three people. Since then, information about his illegal immigration status, how he obtained a CDL, his lack of english proficiency, and more have driven the six charges against him – all felonies under Florida law, reported Fox News.

Now, a Change.org petition has gained over 3 million signatures as of 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, August 26th, calling for a “fair sentencing” for Singh. 

“This was a tragic accident — not a deliberate act,” the petition reads. “While accountability matters, the severity of the charges against him does not align with the circumstances of the incident.”

“The incident was a catastrophe, not a criminal act. The driver has no prior record and fully cooperated with authorities,” the petition continues. 

The petition cites the Aguilera‑Mederos case as precedent for the petition, stating that the “massive outcry” and 5 million signature petition worked to convince Governor Jared Polis to reduce the driver’s sentencing from 110 years to 10 years with the potential for parole after five. 

In response to questions about the petition’s effectiveness, Governor DeSantis’ office has said “no deal. In Florida, criminal actions have consequences.”