Deschutes County, Oregon (OR) – On November 24, 2025, at approximately 9:30 p.m., the OSP responded to a two-vehicle crash on HWY 20 near milepost 51 in Deschutes County, OR.

The initial investigation found that a Freightliner commercial motor vehicle and trailer, operated by Rajinder Kumar, 32-year-old of Fresno, California, had come to a stop in a jackknifed position, blocking both lanes of travel. The tractor was positioned facing eastbound in the eastbound lane. A westbound Subaru Outback, driven by William Micah Carter, 25-year-old of Springfield, collided with the trailer, which was positioned perpendicular across the roadway, at highway speeds.

Both the driver of the Subaru, Carter, and his passenger, Jennifer Lynn Lower 24-year-old of John Day, were pronounced deceased at the scene. The operator of the Freightliner, Kumar, was reportedly uninjured. Highway 20 was closed for roughly seven hours while investigators worked at the scene. According to OSP, dark conditions and the lack of active emergency warning equipment are being considered primary contributing factors in the crash.

Following the on-scene investigation, Kumar was arrested on charges of Criminally Negligent Homicide and Reckless Endangering and was lodged in the Deschutes County Jail. No additional information is being released at this time due to the ongoing investigation.

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