Indian illegal trucker arrested after crash kills newlyweds in Oregon
What's the story
An Indian truck driver, Rajinder Kumar, has been charged with criminally negligent homicide and reckless endangerment after a fatal accident in Oregon killed two people. The incident occurred on November 24 when Kumar's semi-truck blocked two lanes on US Highway 20 in Deschutes County. A westbound Subaru Outback collided with the trailer, killing newlyweds William Micah Carter and Jennifer Lynn Lower instantly. They were married for just 16 days.
Immigration details
Kumar's illegal entry and subsequent licensing
Kumar, who entered the United States illegally near Lukeville, Arizona, on November 28, 2022, was issued a commercial driver's license from California. This was done despite his illegal status and the fact that he had been released into the country by the Biden administration under federal policy pending immigration proceedings. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has since issued an arrest detainer for him.
Policy criticism
DHS criticizes California's licensing practices
The DHS has slammed California's licensing practices, which allowed Kumar to get a commercial driver's license despite his illegal status. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin asked, "How many more senseless tragedies must take place before sanctuary politicians stop allowing illegal aliens to dangerously operate semi-trucks on America's roads?" Kumar remains in custody despite posting bail, as he doesn't have a passport to surrender.
Legal proceedings
4th case involving Indian truckers
This is the fourth case where illegal immigrant drivers from India have been involved in highway recklessness. The latest crash took place in October when Jashanpreet Singh caused an eight-vehicle collision on the 10 Freeway in California, killing three people. A preliminary investigation indicated that traffic on the highway had slowed or stopped when his tractor-trailer combination failed to stop in time, resulting in a chain reaction crash. Police said Singh never hit the brakes before plowing into the traffic.