ICE returns Oregon crash suspect to state jail for trial

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has returned a truck driver to Oregon state custody to stand trial in a fatal highway crash. The transfer moves Rajinder Kumar from federal detention in Washington back to Deschutes County Jail, where he faces felony charges for killing two newlyweds.

Kumar, 32, is accused of causing a collision on U.S. Highway 20 in November 2025. He faces two counts of first-degree manslaughter and three counts of recklessly endangering another person. The victims were William Micah Carter, 25, and his wife Jennifer Lynn Lower, 24, who had been married for 16 days at the time of the accident.

According to court records, Kumar jackknifed his commercial tractor-trailer across both lanes of traffic on Nov. 24, 2025. The couple's Subaru Outback struck the semi, killing both passengers at the scene. A Deschutes County grand jury indicted Kumar, who pleaded not guilty in state court.

A legal dispute over custody arose after Kumar's initial release. ICE lodged an immigration detainer with Deschutes County Jail in April, requesting notice before his release. County corrections officials declined to honor the federal detainer on April 2, releasing Kumar into the community under Oregon state sanctuary policies.

Federal agents from ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations in Seattle located and arrested Kumar on April 22. He was held at the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma, Wash., while federal removal proceedings moved forward. Immigration records indicate Kumar entered the United States unlawfully near Lukeville, Ariz., on Nov. 28, 2022. He was released into the country pending removal and later obtained a California commercial driver's license.

Earlier this month, video released by ICE's Victims of Immigrant Crime Engagement office showed Elizabeth Carter, the mother of William Carter, speaking to Kumar through the window of an ICE vehicle. Carter told Kumar she prayed for him and his family. She stated she knew he did not wake up that morning planning to kill two newlyweds. She also acknowledged that his family was going through a difficult time.

Julio Hernandez, the acting Field Office Director for ICE ERO Seattle, said the return ensures Kumar faces local trial on the felony manslaughter charges before any deportation orders are executed. He noted that the coordinated action supports the victims' families and prevents the accused from evading justice.

Department of Homeland Security officials confirmed that federal deportation proceedings are paused. The hold allows Oregon state prosecutors to pursue the criminal charges. Trial proceedings are currently pending in Deschutes County Circuit Court.