An American citizen was killed in a multi-vehicle accident on Interstate 40 in Tennessee, involving a Chinese national who had entered the United States unlawfully in 2023. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Transportation (USDOT) confirmed that the driver, identified as Huang, caused the crash after rear-ending a tractor-trailer while reportedly distracted by a video on his phone. Two others were injured in the incident.
Authorities stated that Huang admitted to Border Patrol agents upon arrival that he was a citizen of China and had crossed into the country illegally from Mexico. Despite this admission, he was released into the U.S. under Biden Administration policies and received work authorization papers along with a social security card. These documents enabled him to obtain a Class B commercial driver’s license (CDL), which ultimately allowed him to operate the vehicle involved in last week’s fatal crash.
Following the accident, investigators reported that Huang failed an English proficiency test required for CDL holders. There were no passengers on Huang's bus at the time of the collision.
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem commented: "Far too many innocent Americans have been killed by illegal aliens driving semi-trucks and big rigs. And yet, sanctuary states around the country have been issuing illegal aliens commercial driver’s licenses. The Trump Administration is ending the chaos,” U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement. “The brave men and women of ICE are working nonstop to get criminal illegal aliens out of our communities and off our roads."
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy added: “It’s not just that Joe Biden let millions of migrants flood into our country illegally. His administration doled out the documentation these unqualified foreigner 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. Working with Secretary Noem, we will continue to fight to keep you and your family safe on America’s roadways.”
The USDOT’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is coordinating with Tennessee officials as part of their response to this incident.
Support for victims of crimes committed by individuals without legal immigration status is available through DHS's Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) Office at 1-855-488-6423.
