FHP WAITED 48 HOURS TO CHECK IMMIGRATION STATUS AFTER FATAL TURNPIKE CRASH; ICE FLAGGED DRIVER AS DESANTIS STAGES EXTRADITION

Florida Highway Patrol troopers did not verify the truck driver’s immigration status until two days after a Turnpike crash that killed three, allowing him to leave Florida and fly back to California. ICE later confirmed prior immigration proceedings; an arrest warrant followed after dashcam video surfaced, and Florida officials staged a high-profile extradition flight. The case spotlights Florida’s deputized FHP-ICE coordination and raises procedural questions about on-scene immigration checks amid an escalating state enforcement push.