A newlywed couple was killed in a crash on Highway 20 in Deschutes County, Oregon, just 16 days after their wedding as they returned from their honeymoon at Disneyland. William Micah Carter, 25, and Jennifer Lynn Lower, 24, died at the scene after their vehicle struck a jackknifed commercial truck blocking both lanes of the highway on Nov. 25, 2025.
According to the Oregon State Police, preliminary investigations revealed that a Freightliner truck operated by Rajinder Kumar, 32, was stopped in a jackknifed position perpendicular to traffic, blocking both lanes of travel. Carter was driving a westbound Subaru Outback when he struck the trailer at highway speeds around 9:30 p.m.
Both Carter and Lower were pronounced dead at the scene. Kumar, from Fresno, California, was uninjured in the collision. The crash closed the highway for approximately seven hours while authorities conducted their investigation.
Dark conditions and the lack of active emergency warning equipment were identified as primary contributors to the crash. When a commercial vehicle becomes disabled on a highway, proper warning equipment such as flares, reflective triangles, or emergency lights are critical safety measures that alert oncoming drivers to hazards ahead, particularly in low-visibility conditions.
Jennifer’s father, Tom Lower, confirmed that his daughter had married Carter on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025. The couple had honeymooned at Disneyland and were traveling back to Salem, Oregon, to settle there when the fatal collision occurred. The newlyweds had been married for just over two weeks.
Kumar was arrested and charged with criminally negligent homicide and reckless endangerment. He was placed in the Deschutes County Jail following the incident. Authorities later revealed that Kumar became the subject of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrest detainer, with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security accusing him of entering the country illegally at the Arizona border three years ago.
During a court hearing, Deputy District Attorney Caleb Staats requested that Deschutes County Judge Randy Miller raise Kumar’s bail from $100,000 to $250,000. The judge granted the request and prohibited Kumar from leaving the state of Oregon. Staats indicated to the grand jury that “we do anticipate more serious charges being brought” against the defendant.
Kumar was subsequently charged with first-degree manslaughter, a significantly more serious offense than the initial charges. First-degree manslaughter charges indicate that prosecutors believe the defendant caused the deaths under circumstances demonstrating extreme indifference to human life. This elevated charge reflects the severity of the incident and the factors that contributed to the fatal collision.
Tom Lower expressed his family’s desire for justice during the court proceedings, stating, “This is a terrible tragedy, and we wish to see justice served.” The Lower family, who live in Idaho, reportedly had concerns about Kumar’s immigration status and supported the judge’s decision to restrict his movement.
A plea hearing has been set for Monday, Dec. 23, 2025. Kumar remains held in the Deschutes County Jail as the legal proceedings continue. The case has drawn attention due to the combination of the couple’s newlywed status, the circumstances of the crash, and the defendant’s immigration status.
Highway crashes involving commercial vehicles present unique dangers due to the size and weight of trucks and trailers. When a commercial vehicle becomes disabled or jackknifes across traffic lanes, it creates an immediate hazard that can be difficult for approaching drivers to detect, especially during nighttime hours. The lack of proper warning equipment compounds these dangers significantly, giving oncoming traffic little to no advance notice of the obstruction ahead.
The legal process will now determine what consequences Kumar faces for his role in the fatal collision. With charges of first-degree manslaughter now filed, the defendant could face significant prison time if convicted. The December plea hearing will be the next step in the judicial proceedings as prosecutors build their case and the defense prepares its response.