Illegal Immigrant Accused in Newlyweds’ Deaths Taken Into ICE Custody After Jail Term; DHS Targets California Policies

An illegal immigrant, who was released from jail months after causing a crash that killed a newlywed couple, is now in immigration custody. Rajinder Kumar, 32, an Indian-origin truck driver, was initially arrested on November 24, 2025, after his semi-truck and trailer jackknifed across lanes on the U.S. Highway 20 in Oregon.

William Micah Carter, 25, and Jennifer Lynn Lower, 24, were driving a Subaru Outback on the highway when they collided with the jackknifed truck. Both were killed in the crash. The couple had gotten married just 16 days prior to the tragedy and were returning from their wedding reception when the crash occurred.

Kumar was charged with manslaughter and reckless endangerment. He pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released from an Oregon jail on April 2, 2026, after he met bail conditions. Twenty days later, ICE agents arrested Kumar again in Oregon.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) accused Oregon politicians of releasing Kumar despite his status as an undocumented immigrant. According to the department, the man entered the country illegally in November 2022 through Lukeville, Arizona.

The DHS blamed the administration of President Joe Biden for allowing Kumar to remain in the country. Federal officials further alleged that the immigrant obtained a commercial driver’s license (CDL) under California Governor Gavin Newsom’s leadership, which ultimately led to the crash.

“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,” Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said in an official statement.

Kumar is now detained at the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma and faces deportation. However, local prosecutors in Oregon have noted that his manslaughter trial is set for January 2027. If he is deported before the trial, he could avoid punishment, because Oregon law generally requires a defendant facing serious charges to be present during the trial.

On the other hand, Bis said that removing the illegal immigrant is necessary for the safety of American citizens. “Every time sanctuary politicians release a dangerous criminal illegal alien back into our communities, they are gambling with American lives,” she added.

Bis continued, “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.”

Kumar’s public defender, Andrew Ince, talked about the case in an interview with Oregon news outlet Lookout Eugene-Springfield and 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.”

“I can just say, from my perspective, I’m sad for everyone involved in the case. Obviously, I feel for my client and the situation he’s in. I’m very aware of the world we live in right now. I feel bad for the victims’ families. There are so many people that have questions right now,” Ince said.