An Indian national accused of causing a fatal truck crash that killed a newlywed American couple has been transferred from US immigration custody to Oregon to face criminal prosecution, with his trial scheduled for January.
Rajinder Kumar, 32, was booked into the Deschutes County Jail late Thursday by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), according to local media reports.
Kumar faces two counts of first-degree manslaughter and three counts of recklessly endangering another person over a fatal crash on Highway 20 on 24 November 2025.
The crash occurred about eight miles east of Brothers, Oregon, when a car carrying newlyweds William Carter and Jennifer Lower collided with Kumar’s tractor-trailer, which was jackknifed across the highway. Both died in the incident.
Deschutes County District Attorney Steve Gunnels welcomed Kumar’s return to state custody, saying prosecutors expected to proceed with the trial in January as scheduled.
“We are grateful that it now appears we’ll be able to proceed to trial in January as scheduled.”
ICE said it had previously lodged an immigration detainer with the Deschutes County Jail after Kumar was indicted. However, the county released him in April 2026 without honouring the detainer.
ICE officers subsequently located and arrested Kumar on 22 April.
According to ICE, US Border Patrol apprehended Kumar near Lukeville, Arizona, on 28 November 2022, after he entered the United States from Mexico. He was placed in removal proceedings and later received a deportation order in July 2026, according to local reporting.
Deschutes County Circuit Court Judge Wells Ashby issued an arrest warrant for Kumar on 1 October and increased his bail to US$1 million. The judge also ruled that Kumar had breached his release conditions by leaving Oregon, even if he had done so against his will.
Kumar’s legal case has involved both state criminal proceedings and federal immigration action. He reportedly held a California commercial driver’s licence and work authorisation.
“Two Americans lost their lives, and their families deserve accountability,” ICE ERO Seattle acting Field Office Director Julio S. Hernandez said.
“ICE worked closely with law-enforcement partners to ensure Kumar is returned to state custody to answer for the serious charges against him.”
ICE said it would pursue Kumar’s immigration case in accordance with federal law after the conclusion of the state criminal proceedings.
Support our Journalism
No-nonsense journalism. No paywalls. Whether you’re in Australia, the UK, Canada, the USA, or India, you can support The Australia Today by taking a paid subscription via Patreon or donating via PayPal — and help keep honest, fearless journalism alive.
