Grieving mother speaks to driver before return to Oregon jail

Elizabeth Carter stood at the passenger window of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement vehicle earlier this month to speak directly with the man accused of killing her son. The meeting occurred as federal agents prepared to transfer Rajinder Kumar back to Oregon state custody. Kumar, 32, faces two counts of first-degree manslaughter and three counts of recklessly endangering another person in Deschutes County.

Video released by the ICE Victims of Immigrant Crime Engagement office captured the brief exchange. Carter told Kumar that she prayed for him and his family. She noted that he likely did not wake up that morning planning to kill two newlyweds. The driver struggled to meet her gaze during the conversation.

The incident under investigation took place on November 24, 2025. Kumar was driving a commercial tractor-trailer on U.S. Highway 20 in Oregon. He allegedly jackknifed the vehicle, blocking both lanes of traffic. A Subaru Outback driven by William Micah Carter, 25, struck the semi. Both passengers, Carter and his wife Jennifer Lynn Lower, 24, died at the scene. The couple had been married for only 16 days at the time of the crash.

A Deschutes County grand jury indicted Kumar following the wreck. He pleaded not guilty in state court. A dispute arose between federal and local authorities after his initial release. Court and immigration records indicate Kumar entered the United States near Lukeville, Ariz., on November 28, 2022. U.S. Border Patrol apprehended him and released him into the country under the Biden administration pending removal proceedings. He received federal work authorization and later obtained a commercial driver's license from the State of California.

The custody conflict began when ICE lodged an immigration detainer after the indictment. The request asked Deschutes County Jail to notify federal agents before releasing Kumar. County corrections officials declined to honor the detainer on April 2. They released him into the community in accordance with Oregon state sanctuary policies. ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Seattle agents located and arrested Kumar on April 22 in connection with his immigration case. He was held at the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma, Wash.

Federal officials paused deportation proceedings to allow the state criminal trial to proceed. ICE ERO Seattle announced that Kumar is being returned to Deschutes County authorities. The move ensures he faces local felony charges before any deportation orders are executed. Acting Field Office Director Julio Hernandez stated that two Americans lost their lives and their families deserve accountability. Hernandez said the coordinated action protects the public and supports the victims' families.

Department of Homeland Security officials confirmed that federal removal actions are on hold. Criminal trial proceedings are pending in Deschutes County Circuit Court. Kumar remains in the hands of state authorities while the case moves toward a jury.