A truck driver, who is an undocumented immigrant, is facing murder charges for a crash that resulted in the deaths of a newlywed couple. Authorities are considering deporting him before his trial.
On November 24, 2025, Rajinder Kumar, an illegal immigrant from India, reportedly jackknifed a semi-truck and collided with a Subaru Outback on Route 20 in Bend, Oregon.
The crash killed the couple, William Micah Carter and Jennifer Lynn Lower, who had been married for just 16 days. Kumar was subsequently arrested and is held at the Deschutes County Jail, facing two counts of first-degree manslaughter and three counts of recklessly endangering others. He has pleaded not guilty.
Initially, his bail was set at $500,000 but was eventually reduced to $250,000. In Oregon, individuals typically need to post only 10% of their bail to be released.
Despite the severity of the charges, Kumar managed to post bail and was released. He was taken from a local detention center on April 2. Reports indicate that Oregon’s officials did not cooperate with immigration authorities, which contributed to his release.
Kumar was later detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on April 22 and is currently being held at the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma, Washington.
It’s noted that Kumar entered the U.S. illegally on November 28, 2022, and was released under the Biden administration, during which he obtained a commercial driver’s license in California.
The mother of one of the victims, Elizabeth Carter, expressed alarm that Kumar could be deported before he faces justice for the deaths of her son and his wife. She believes this could allow him to return to his home country without facing trial.
Carter voiced a hope that departing before a murder trial allows Kumar to escape accountability: “If he’s deported without facing serious charges, it seems unfair. I think anyone facing significant criminal accusations should undergo a trial first.”
She also advocates for a legislative change that would ensure those facing serious charges should be offered a trial before any deportation proceedings commence, especially when it involves the death of American citizens.
A DHS spokesperson mentioned that ICE would work with state and local authorities to handle cases involving undocumented immigrants, hinting that if cooperation isn’t forthcoming, deportation could happen. Carter responded critically, suggesting that such statements imply a troubling negotiation over fundamental rights under the law.
Carter conveyed her belief that while Kumar deserves to defend himself, the deceased couple deserves justice as well. She noted the importance of a fair trial for both parties involved.
The Carter family aims to find a lawmaker supportive of a bill that ensures individuals facing deportation with serious criminal allegations are tried before any removal from the U.S.
