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Federal officials have revealed that the driver accused of causing a deadly multi-vehicle pileup in Tennessee last week entered the United States illegally before obtaining a commercial driver’s license in New York state.
Yisong Huang, 54, allegedly triggered the fatal crash on December 9 while driving an empty tour bus on Interstate 40 in Tennessee. According to investigators, Huang became “distracted by a video on his phone” before rear-ending a tractor-trailer, setting off a chain reaction that killed one American citizen, Kerry Smith, and injured two others.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of Transportation (DOT) jointly announced Wednesday that Huang, who reportedly cannot speak English, illegally crossed into the United States from Mexico in 2023. Officials stated he was subsequently released and provided work authorization papers under Biden administration policies.
Following his arrest, Huang faces vehicular manslaughter charges, according to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy highlighted this case as part of a broader concern regarding illegal immigrants obtaining commercial driver’s licenses.
“It’s not just that Joe Biden let millions of migrants flood into our country illegally,” Duffy said in a statement. “His administration doled out the documentation these unqualified foreign drivers needed to obtain trucking licenses and operate 40-ton missiles on the highway. The fact that this individual failed a basic English test also calls into question how he even got the license in the first place.”
The case has intensified scrutiny of New York’s commercial licensing practices. Duffy announced last Friday that a nationwide audit revealed more than half of New York’s non-domiciled trucking licenses—commercial licenses issued to non-legal residents of the state—were issued illegally.
“The federal audit exposed a shocking 53% failure rate in the records sampled, indicating a total collapse in the administration of New York’s CDL program,” Duffy stated.
The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles confirmed that Huang’s license was issued on April 11, 2025, claiming he presented all required federal documents establishing “lawful presence” until July 2029. However, the agency strongly disputed Duffy’s characterization of their licensing program.
Walter McClure, a spokesperson for the New York State DMV, responded: “Secretary Duffy is lying about New York State once again in a desperate attempt to distract from the failing, chaotic administration he represents. Commercial drivers licenses are regulated by the Federal Government, and New York State DMV has, and will continue to, comply with federal rules.”
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem framed the incident as part of a pattern requiring urgent attention. “Far too many innocent Americans have been killed by illegal aliens driving semitrucks and big rigs. And yet, sanctuary states around the country have been issuing illegal aliens commercial driver’s licenses,” Noem said.
The case highlights ongoing tensions between federal and state authorities regarding immigration enforcement and licensing standards. The federal government maintains that Huang was able to obtain his CDL after receiving work authorization and a Social Security card following his illegal entry, creating a pathway that ultimately led to the deadly crash.
The incident occurs amid increased federal scrutiny of commercial driving licenses issued to non-citizens. The trucking industry has faced driver shortages in recent years, with the American Trucking Association previously estimating a shortage of over 80,000 drivers nationwide.
As investigations continue, the case is likely to fuel further debate over immigration policies and safety regulations in the commercial transportation sector, particularly regarding language requirements and verification procedures for CDL applicants.
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11 Comments
This is a tragic situation. It’s concerning to see that the driver accused of this deadly crash was an unauthorized immigrant with a commercial license. We need to address issues like this to improve road safety and prevent future tragedies.
I agree, this highlights the need for better oversight and screening processes for commercial licenses. Public safety should be the top priority.
Tragic news. While the circumstances around this case are still unclear, it’s troubling to hear that the driver may have been an unauthorized immigrant with a commercial license. Road safety should be a top priority, and we need to ensure proper vetting and licensing procedures are in place, especially for high-risk vehicles.
While the details of this case are still emerging, it’s clear that this is a very serious and tragic situation. Unauthorized immigrants obtaining commercial licenses is a concerning issue that needs to be addressed, but we have to be careful not to jump to conclusions or make sweeping generalizations. Public safety should be the top priority.
This is a complex and sensitive issue. On one hand, we need to ensure the safety of our roads and that all drivers, regardless of their immigration status, are properly vetted and licensed. On the other, we have to be mindful of not unfairly targeting or scapegoating immigrant communities. A nuanced, fact-based approach is needed to address these concerns.
I agree, this is a delicate balance. The focus should be on improving licensing procedures and enforcement, rather than making broad assumptions. Road safety for all should be the top priority.
This is a complex issue with a lot of nuance. On one hand, we need to ensure our roads are safe and that all drivers are properly licensed and vetted. On the other, we have to be careful not to unfairly target immigrant communities. A balanced, fact-based approach is needed to address these concerns.
I agree, this is a delicate balance. We should focus on improving licensing procedures and enforcement, rather than making broad assumptions about immigrant drivers. The goal should be safer roads for everyone.
This is a very concerning report. If the details are accurate, it seems there were multiple failures in the system that allowed an unauthorized immigrant to obtain a commercial license and operate a large vehicle. Improved coordination between immigration and transportation agencies is clearly needed.
While the details of this case are still emerging, it’s clear that something needs to be done to ensure commercial drivers are properly vetted and licensed. Distracted driving is a major issue, and we can’t have unqualified or unauthorized individuals behind the wheel of large vehicles.
Absolutely. Stronger regulations and enforcement around commercial licenses, especially for immigrants, could help prevent these types of tragic accidents in the future.