‘We’re all scared right now’: ICE arrests Indian-American truck driver in Oregon crash; community in fear

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has arrested an Indian truck driver accused of a fatal traffic accident in Oregon in 2025 that killed a newlywed couple. The arrest came weeks after local authorities released him on April 2.Rajinder Kumar, 32, is currently being held at the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma, Washington, and is in deportation proceedings.

Fatal car crash kills newlyweds

The incident dates back to Nov. 24, when Kumar allegedly broke off his semi-truck and trailer in Deschutes County, Oregon, blocking two lanes of U.S. Highway 20, officials said. A Subaru Outback collided with a truck, killing driver William Micah Carter and passenger Jennifer Lynn Lohr. According to Lookout Eugene-Springfield, the couple had only been married for 16 days and went home after the wedding reception.State police arrested Kumar the same day. He has since been charged with two counts of manslaughter and three counts of reckless endangerment. Court records show he pleaded not guilty to all charges on March 30 and is now scheduled to stand trial on January 19, 2027.

Released from jail and subsequently arrested by ICE

Court documents show Kumar was released from the Deschutes County Jail on April 2 after meeting bail conditions. The issuing order includes electronic monitoring requirements. However, federal immigration authorities earlier filed a detention request seeking notice and temporary detention upon his release.ICE said local authorities failed to comply with the request. “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. He is now being held at the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma and is in deportation proceedings,” the agency said in a statement.

Statement from Department of Homeland Security and ICE on arrests

After Kumar’s arrest, the Department of Homeland Security criticized local authorities and highlighted broader concerns about immigration enforcement.Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said: “Gavin Newsom’s state of California issued a CDL to this illegal immigrant. He then drove a truck recklessly on a U.S. highway and killed two honeymooners. Instead of cooperating with ICE law enforcement, Oregon sanctuary politicians released him from prison back into the American community.”She further added: “Every time sanctuary politicians release dangerous illegal aliens back into our communities, they are gambling with American lives. We are grateful to ICE law enforcement officers for tracking down this murderer and ensuring that he was permanently removed from America’s highways and would never harm another American family again. “Officials also said Kumar entered the United States illegally near Lukeville, Arizona, in November 2022 and later obtained a work permit. He also obtained a California commercial driver’s license.

Legal proceedings and prosecution issues

Despite being detained by ICE, local prosecutors have expressed their intention to proceed with the case. Deschutes County District Attorney Stephen Gunnels said: “We hope and intend to continue the criminal case… That said, the federal action is beyond our control and we have no input into the process.”Kumar’s defense attorney, Andrew Ince, stressed that his client is presumed innocent until proven guilty. He also noted that Oregon law generally allows for bail in most cases and no special motion was filed to secure Kumar’s release.Ince expressed concern about the impact of ICE detention on trials, saying that under Oregon law, trials in serious criminal cases must be conducted without the defendant’s physical presence. He added: “This is still an open case, so there’s not much to say in terms of the decision-making in this case.”He added that there was nothing to prevent federal authorities from deporting Kumar until the criminal case was resolved.

Eyewitness accounts and community reactions

A witness who was present when Kumar was arrested described the experience as shocking. The person, who spoke anonymously, said: “It was a huge shock in my life… I have no words for that moment.”The man, a legal permanent resident, said he was stopped by ICE officers while Kumar was sitting in his car. He was then allowed to leave after showing documents.He said Kumar has been struggling emotionally since his release from prison and said he “lost hope” after being detained by ICE. He also shared what Kumar told him about the accident: “If the court finds him guilty, he should be punished…someone deserves justice.”He added: “Neither Rajinder nor those husbands and wives… this is not justice.”The incident also sparked fear among members of Bend’s small Indian immigrant community. “Honestly, we’re all scared right now,” the man said.