Washington, Sept 19:
A Sikh truck driver was stabbed 17 times at a rest-area bathroom in Wyoming and is recovering in hospital after a violent attack that has raised concerns amid growing anti-South Asian rhetoric in the United States.
The trucker, identified only as Singh, was attacked early Sunday at the Bitter Creek Rest Area in south Wyoming while travelling to Pennsylvania. He suffered multiple stab wounds to his arms, chest and rib cage and was airlifted to Wyoming Medical Centre in Casper for treatment.
Local media identified the alleged attacker as Andrew Kris Bzdak. He was arrested and charged with attempted first-degree murder, a felony under Wyoming law that carries a possible life sentence.
A Hispanic family who happened to be at the rest area helped the injured truck driver and sought medical assistance. Court documents cited by local media said the family heard the attack, saw a man fleeing the building and followed his semi-truck long enough to photograph identifying information.
The incident has drawn attention from Indian-American lawmakers and groups monitoring hate incidents against Asian Americans. Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi said he was horrified by the attack and linked it to what he described as a broader rise in hateful rhetoric targeting Sikh and South Asian Americans.
Police investigations into the circumstances and motive behind the stabbing are continuing. The truck driver’s identity has not been fully disclosed in the reports, and he remains under medical care while recovering from his injuries.