Yisong Huang allegedly caused a massive pile-up in Tennessee, leading to one death. (Putnam County TN Sheriff's Office)
Investigators reported that on Dec. 9, Huang was driving an empty bus on a major highway when he became "distracted by a video on his phone."
The New York Post reported Huang was operating a tour bus. He allegedly rear-ended a tractor-trailer and triggered a chain-reaction crash that led to two injuries and the death of one American citizen, Kerry Smith, according to officials.
Huang was later arrested and charged with vehicular manslaughter, according to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office.
Huang entered the U.S. illegally two years ago, according to the DHS. Officials said he admitted to Border Patrol agents that he was a Chinese national but was later released and given work authorization papers and a Social Security card. This allowed Huang to get a Class B CDL, a process that ultimately led to the deadly multi-vehicle crash, the agency alleges.
ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT TRUCK DRIVER IN FATAL CALIFORNIA CRASH SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAD LICENSE: DOT REPORT
Yisong Huang was arrested last week following a crash that happened on I-40 in Tennessee. (DHS)
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In response, New York State DMV spokesperson Walter McClure said Friday:
"Secretary Duffy is lying about New York State once again in a desperate attempt to distract from the failing, chaotic administration he represents. Here is the truth: Commercial Drivers Licenses are regulated by the Federal Government, and New York State DMV has, and will continue to, comply with federal rules. Every CDL we issue is subject to verification of an applicant's lawful status through federally-issued documents reviewed in accordance with federal regulations. This is just another stunt from Secretary Duffy, and it does nothing to keep our roads safer. We will review USDOT’s letter and respond accordingly."
Fox News Digital reached out to the Putnam County Sheriff's Office, Tennessee Highway Patrol and the Tennessee DOT for more information.
Bonny Chu is a Digital Production Assistant at Fox News Digital.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/suspect-accused-causing-massive-fatal-pileup-illegal-immigrant-obtained-cdl-new-york-feds