On Tuesday August 12, a semi-truck reportedly driven by a Punjabi driver was headed northbound on a Florida highway. The driver decided to cross all four lanes of traffic and attempt a U-turn at an Official Use Only turn around. A Chrysler minivan that was approaching the truck was unable to avoid the trailer. The resulting collision killed all three occupants of the minivan.
The turn was a blatant violation of the law, as Official Use Only turn arounds are only meant to be used by emergency vehicles and highway maintenance staff. If a truck driver needed to switch towards southbound traffic, they are obliged to do so at the nearest exit. Authorities are investigating the collision as a homicide case.
Footage of the driver’s cabin during the turn and photos of the resultant crash have gone viral on social media, and has sparked backlash against South Asian truck drivers in Canada and the US for similar incidents.