(NewsNation) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis blasted what he sees as immigration failures as millions online rallied behind 28-year-old Harjinder Singh, a native of India and the driver accused in a deadly crash on the Florida Turnpike.
Singh is accused of making an illegal U-turn while driving on the state’s major toll road on Aug. 12, resulting in a crash that killed three people.
Authorities said Singh is in the United States illegally and was issued a commercial driver’s license from California — one of 19 states that grant licenses regardless of immigration status.
He now faces up to 45 years in prison and possible deportation.
An online petition pleading for Singh’s “fair sentencing” has erupted since his arrest and has climbed to roughly 2.7 million signatures, with petitioners asking that he get a fair and reasonable sentence.
The petition calls the crash a “tragic accident” and asks DeSantis to consider alternative sentences such as counseling or community service.
“While accountability matters, the severity of the charges against him does not align with the circumstances of the incident,” the petition reads.
DeSantis has slammed California’s policies and blamed them for the crash.
“The reality is those sanctuary policies of California are spilling over, and they are impacting people around the country,” DeSantis said. “And this is a great example of that happening.”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Singh obtained his work permit when President Donald Trump was first in office, though the Department of Homeland Security has disputed that.
Singh was denied bond by a judge late last week. He remains in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody in Florida.
NewsNation reached out to DeSantis’ office about the petition and its pleas. “No deal. In Florida, criminal actions have consequences,” the office said.
NewsNation’s Anna Kutz contributed to this report.