William Micah Carter and Jennifer Lynn Lower (left) and Rajinder Kumar (right) (Image/X@DHSgov)
The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced that the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has arrested an Indian-origin truck driver accused in a fatal 2025 road accident in Oregon that killed a newly married couple. The arrest comes weeks after local authorities released him from custody on April 2. Rajinder Kumar, 32, is currently being held at the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma, Washington and has been placed in removal proceedings.
Fatal crash that killed newly married couple
According to officials, the incident dates back to November 24 last year when Kumar allegedly jackknifed his semi-truck and trailer, blocking both lanes of US Highway 20 in Deschutes County, Oregon. A Subaru Outback collided with the truck, resulting in the deaths of driver William Micah Carter and passenger Jennifer Lynn Lower. The couple had been married for just 16 days and were returning home after their wedding reception, Lookout Eugene-Springfield reported. State Police arrested Kumar on the same day. He has since been charged with two counts of manslaughter and three counts of recklessly endangering another person. Court records show that he pleaded not guilty to all charges on March 30 and his trial is now scheduled for January 19, 2027.
Release from jail and subsequent ICE arrest
Court documents indicate that Kumar was released from Deschutes County Jail on April 2 after bail conditions were met. The release order included electronic monitoring requirements. However, federal immigration authorities had earlier filed a detainer request seeking notification and temporary custody upon his release.ICE said local authorities did not comply with this request. In a statement, the agency said: “On April 2, 2026, Oregon sanctuary politicians refused to cooperate with ICE and RELEASED Kumar back onto the streets of Oregon. On April 22, 2026, ICE arrested Rajinder. Now, he is being held at the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma and has been placed in removal proceedings.”
DHS and ICE statements on arrest
Following Kumar’s arrest, DHS criticised local authorities and highlighted broader concerns around immigration enforcement.Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said: “This illegal alien was issued a CDL by Gavin Newsom’s California. He then went on to recklessly drive a truck on America’s highways and KILL two honeymooners. Instead of cooperating with ICE law enforcement, Oregon sanctuary politicians RELEASED him from jail back into American communities.”She further added: “Every time sanctuary politicians release a dangerous criminal illegal alien back into our communities, they are gambling with American lives. We are grateful to our ICE law enforcement officers who tracked this killer down to ensure he’s permanently removed from America’s highways and can never harm another American family again.”Officials also stated that Kumar had entered the United States illegally near Lukeville, Arizona in November 2022 and was later granted work authorization. He was also issued a commercial driver’s license in California.
Legal proceedings and prosecution concerns
Despite the ICE detention, local prosecutors have indicated their intention to proceed with the criminal case. Deschutes County District Attorney Stephen Gunnels said: “We would hope and intend to go forward with the criminal case… That said, federal actions are beyond our control, and we have no input into that process.”Kumar’s defence counsel, Andrew Ince, emphasised that his client is presumed innocent until proven guilty. He also observed that Oregon law generally allows bail in most cases and that no special motion was made to secure Kumar’s release.Ince raised concerns about the impact of ICE custody on the trial, stating that under Oregon law, a trial in serious criminal cases cannot proceed without the defendant being physically present. He also said: “It’s still an open case, so there’s not a lot that can be said as far as decision making in this case.”He added that there may be nothing preventing federal authorities from deporting Kumar before the criminal case is resolved.
Eyewitness account and community reaction
An eyewitness who was present during Kumar’s arrest described the experience as shocking. Speaking anonymously, the individual said: “That was just a really big shock of my life … I have no word for that moment.” The man, a lawful permanent resident, said he was stopped by ICE officers while Kumar was a passenger in his vehicle. He was later allowed to leave after showing documentation.He said Kumar had been struggling emotionally after his release from jail and described him as ‘losing hope’ after being taken into ICE custody. He also shared what Kumar told him about the accident: “If the court reach to a judgment like he’s guilty, he deserves to be punished… somebody deserve justice.”He added: “Either Rajinder deserve justice, either those husband and wife… This is not justice.”The incident has also created fear among members of the small Indian immigrant community in Bend. The man said: “We are all scared right now, to be honest with you.” Go to Source
