Driver Pleads Not Guilty in Fatal Newlywed Crash Case

Key Details 32-year-old truck driver Rajinder Kumar pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree manslaughter on March 30th in Deschutes County, Oregon court. The charges stem from a November 2025 crash that killed two newlyweds on an Oregon roadway. Legal Timeline Judge Wells Ashby scheduled a readiness hearing for January 5th, 2027, with a nine-day jury trial set to begin January 19th, 2027. Kumar is also facing three additional counts of misdemeanor reckless endangering related to the same incident. Why It Matters The case has drawn attention due to Kumar's immigration status, as DHS reports he entered the country illegally at the Arizona border three years prior to the crash. His bail was reduced from $500,000 to $250,000, allowing him to remain in custody pending trial. Next Steps The upcoming hearings and trial will determine whether Kumar bears criminal responsibility for the fatal collision. Professional drivers should monitor this case as it develops, given its implications for industry safety standards and legal accountability.