The communities of Springfield and John Day are mourning the devastating loss of 25-year-old William Micah Carter and 24-year-old Jennifer Lynn Lower, whose lives were tragically cut short in a violent crash late Monday night. The fatal collision happened around 9:30 p.m. on November 24, 2025, along Highway 20 near milepost 51, leaving family, friends, and neighbors heartbroken as they struggle to make sense of a tragedy that unfolded in just seconds.
According to Oregon State Police, the crash occurred when a Freightliner truck driven by 32-year-old Rajinder Kumar jackknifed across both lanes of the highway. The truck came to rest sideways, blocking the roadway under dark, difficult nighttime conditions. Investigators reported that no hazard lights, flares, or warning equipment were being used at the time, preventing oncoming drivers from seeing the danger ahead. What should have been a routine drive suddenly became a deadly and unavoidable situation.
William Carter and his passenger, Jennifer Lower, were traveling westbound in a Subaru Outback when they encountered the jackknifed trailer. With no warning and no time to react, their vehicle collided with the trailer at full highway speed. The force of the impact was catastrophic. Both William and Jennifer were pronounced dead at the scene, their promising futures tragically cut short. Kumar, the driver of the truck, was not injured in the collision.
First responders, ODOT crews, and investigators shut down Highway 20 for nearly seven hours as they worked through the night to secure the scene and collect evidence. The darkness and lack of roadway warnings are believed to be major factors in the crash. Following the investigation, Kumar was arrested and charged with Criminally Negligent Homicide and Reckless Endangering, bringing a legal response to a situation that has shaken the region.
Both William and Jennifer are being remembered as cherished members of their communities—two young people with bright futures, loving families, and lives filled with potential. Their sudden loss has left an irreplaceable void, breaking the hearts of those who knew them best. Friends describe them as kind, hardworking, and full of life, a couple whose presence brought warmth and positivity wherever they went.
As Springfield and John Day grieve, loved ones cling to memories of William and Jennifer, reflecting on moments that now feel more precious than ever. Though their lives ended far too soon, the impact they made will continue to be felt for years to come. Their families, friends, and communities now mourn together, united in sorrow as they honor two lives that meant so much to so many.
