Fatal accident in which newly married couple died

According to officials, the incident occurred on November 24 last year when Kumar allegedly rammed his semi-truck and trailer, blocking both lanes of US Highway 20 in Deschutes County, Oregon. A Subaru Outback collided with a 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, the Lookout Eugene-Springfield reported.The state police arrested Kumar the same day. He has since been charged with two counts of murder and three counts of recklessly endangering another person. Court records show he pleaded not guilty to all charges on March 30 and his trial is now set for January 19, 2027.

Release from jail and subsequent ICE arrest

Court documents indicate Kumar was released from the Deschutes County Jail on April 2 after meeting bail conditions. The release order included electronic monitoring requirements. However, federal immigration authorities had previously filed a detention request seeking notification and temporary detention 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 placed in removal proceedings.”

DHS and ICE statements on arrest

Following Kumar’s arrest, DHS criticized local officials and highlighted broader concerns around immigration enforcement.Acting Assistant Secretary of State Lauren Biss said: “This illegal alien was issued a CDL by Gavin Newsom’s California. He then drove a truck recklessly on America’s highways and killed two honeymooners. Instead of cooperating with ICE law enforcement, Oregon sanctuary politicians released him from prison back into American communities.”He 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 down this killer and ensured he was permanently removed from America’s highways and could never again harm another American family.”Authorities also said 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 ICE detention, local prosecutors have indicated their intention to pursue a criminal case. Deschutes County District Attorney Stephen Gunnels said: “We hope and intend to pursue a criminal case… That said, the federal action is out of our control, and we have no input into that process.”Kumar’s defense lawyer Andrew Ince stressed that his client is considered innocent until proven guilty. They also observed that Oregon law generally allows bail in most cases and that no special offer was made to secure Kumar’s release.Ince raised concerns about the impact of ICE detention on the trial and said that under Oregon law, trials in serious criminal cases cannot proceed without the physical presence of the defendant. He also said: “This is still an open case, so not much can be said regarding a decision in this case.”He said nothing would stop federal authorities from deporting Kumar before the criminal case is resolved.

Eyewitness accounts and community reaction

An eyewitness present during Kumar’s arrest described the experience as shocking. Speaking anonymously, the man said: “That was a huge shock of my life… I don’t have words for that moment.”A lawful permanent resident man said he was stopped by ICE officers while Kumar was a passenger in his vehicle. Later, after showing the documents, he was allowed to go.She said Kumar was struggling emotionally after being released from jail and described him as “losing hope” after being taken into ICE custody. He also shared what Kumar had told him about the accident: “If the court reaches a verdict that he is guilty, he deserves to be punished… anybody deserves justice.”He said, “Either Rajinder deserves justice, either they are husband and wife… this is not justice.”The incident has also instilled fear among members of the small Indian immigrant community in Bend. The man said: “To be honest, we’re all scared right now.”