A newlywed couple from Oregon died after their vehicle collided with a jackknifed commercial truck on Highway 20 in Deschutes County, Oregon, east of Bend. William Micah Carter, 25, and Jennifer Lynn Lower, 24, had been married for only 16 days when the tragic crash occurred on November 24, 2025.
The collision happened around 9:30 p.m. when Carter, operating a westbound Subaru Outback, struck a trailer that was stopped in a jackknifed position, blocking both lanes of travel. Dark conditions and a lack of warning lights were primary contributors to the crash. Both Carter and Lower were pronounced dead at the scene.
The couple, known to friends and family as Billy Carter and Jenny Carter, had been returning from their honeymoon at Disneyland to settle in Salem, Oregon. Tom Lower, father of the bride, confirmed the couple had celebrated their wedding and were traveling back home when the incident occurred.
Rajinder Kumar, 32, who was operating the commercial motor vehicle and trailer, was uninjured in the crash. Kumar was arrested and charged with criminally negligent homicide and first-degree manslaughter. The truck had jackknifed perpendicular to the direction of traffic, creating a dangerous obstruction that the couple’s vehicle struck at highway speeds.
The highway was closed for approximately seven hours while investigators examined the scene. Kumar was taken into custody and placed in the Deschutes County Jail.
An Immigration and Customs Enforcement immigration detainer was placed on Kumar, who allegedly entered the United States illegally three years ago. Kumar is from Fresno, California.
The court agreed to increase Kumar’s bail multiple times due to concerns about flight risk. The bail was initially set at $100,000, then raised to $250,000, and ultimately increased to $500,000. Prosecutors requested the higher bail and asked that Kumar be prohibited from leaving the state.
“This is a terrible tragedy, and we wish to see justice served,” Tom Lower told the court.
A plea hearing has been set for December 23, 2025. Prosecutors have indicated they anticipate bringing more serious charges against Kumar as the investigation continues.
William Micah Carter and Jennifer Lynn Lower had gotten engaged on August 27, 2025, beginning what family members described as a joyful romance. Carter was from Springfield, Oregon, while Lower was from Preston, Idaho. The couple had chosen to honeymoon at the California theme park before establishing their home in Salem, Oregon.
Dennis Carter, father of the groom, and Elizabeth Carter, the groom’s mother, are mourning the loss of their son. Becky Lower, mother of the bride, joins Tom Lower in grieving their daughter. Both families expressed devastation over the sudden loss.
“We do anticipate more serious charges being brought,” prosecutors stated during court proceedings.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security released information about Kumar’s immigration status and the circumstances of the crash. The case has drawn attention to questions about commercial driver licensing procedures and the vetting of operators who transport goods on American highways.
Kumar faces two counts of first-degree manslaughter in connection with the deaths. Each manslaughter charge carries significant penalties under Oregon law. The charges allege reckless conduct that demonstrated extreme indifference to human life, though they do not allege intent to cause death.
The crash occurred on a stretch of Highway 20 in Deschutes County, a rural area where lighting conditions can be challenging at night. Investigators have focused on whether proper safety protocols were followed, including the placement of emergency warning equipment when the commercial vehicle became disabled.
As of this report, Kumar remains in custody at the Deschutes County Jail, unable to post the $500,000 bail. The case continues to develop as prosecutors prepare for the upcoming plea hearing and consider additional charges based on their ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fatal collision that claimed the lives of the young newlyweds.
