STOCKTON, Calif. (WFLA) — Lt. Gov. Jay Collins went to California on Thursday to escort the semi-truck driver accused of killing three people in a Turnpike crash back to Florida.

“We’re here today because of tragedy,” Collins said. “Three lives lost. Three Floridians’ lives ended early.”

The Florida Department of Highway Safety said Harjinder Singh, a 28-year-old from California, was driving a semi-truck on the Florida Turnpike in St. Lucie County on Tuesday, Aug. 12, when he attempted to make a U-turn in an unauthorized location and crossed directly in front of a minivan.

Officials said the minivan driver was unable to slow down in time and became wedged under the truck.

Two passengers in the minivan died at the scene. The driver was taken to a hospital, where he later died of his injuries.

Investigators with FLHSMV said they later learned that Singh had entered the U.S. illegally in 2018 when he crossed the border in Mexico. He then got a commercial driver’s license in California.

Collins said Singh fled back to California after the crash.

He also said that after the Singh was pulled over for the crash, Singh could only answer three of 16 questions properly.

“Why was he driving in the first place?” Collins asked. “He didn’t have basic English proficiency. He didn’t know the road signs, and yet, he is driving a giant vehicle across our state. Let’s not overstate. I cannot say this enough: three lives ended because of that. Because of failed border policy.”

Collins then explained why he wanted to personally escort Singh back to Florida.

“I’m tired of other people, other governors failing to step up and take accountability and take illegal immigration seriously,” Collins said. “We’re here today to make sure this guy goes back to Florida, faces justice and those three innocent lives lost get the justice they deserve. Three lives lost because of Gavin Newsom, because of California’s failed policies. We’re done with that (expletive).”