Sikh Truck Driver Stabbed at US Rest Stop; Man Charged With Attempted Murder
A Sikh truck driver is recovering in hospital after being stabbed multiple times at a rest area in southern Wyoming in the United States — an attack that has drawn condemnation from Indian-American lawmakers and renewed attention to the targeting of Sikh and South Asian Americans.
The man, who asked to be identified only by his surname, Singh, because he fears for his safety, told the US-based news organisation NPR from his hospital bed that he did not understand why he was attacked. "I don't know why this happened," he said. "I don't know why they attacked me."
According to his account, he was driving to Pennsylvania in the early hours of Sunday when he stopped at a rest area to use the restroom. He noticed a man walking behind him but thought nothing of it. Moments later, the stranger allegedly began beating him, then drew a knife and stabbed him repeatedly. He suffered wounds on several parts of his body, including his neck.
After the attacker fled, Singh managed to make his way outside. Bleeding heavily, he collapsed on the pavement and waited for help.
A Hispanic family that happened to be at the rest area came to his aid, tending to his wounds and summoning emergency medical assistance before first responders arrived. "They gave me the second life," Singh said. As of Wednesday night, he remained in hospital being treated for multiple lacerations and injuries to his chest and ribs, NPR reported.
Suspect arrested, charged
Authorities have arrested Andrew Kris Bzdak, 45, in connection with the stabbing. Charging documents seen by NPR show he has been charged with attempted first-degree murder. The documents do not state a motive or explain what may have led to the alleged assault. The Sweetwater County Sheriff's Office and local prosecutors did not immediately respond to requests for further information.
Condemnation and the wider context
Indian-American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi said he was "horrified" by the attack and expressed concern about what he described as rising hatred directed at Sikh and South Asian Americans. In a post on X, he said the driver had been stabbed 17 times — a figure that has not been independently confirmed by authorities.
He also referred to a now-deleted social media post by the Department of Homeland Security that used an image of an Indian truck driver and the surname Singh, with a caption telling him to "get off our roads". The post drew accusations of stereotyping from members of the South Asian community. In his statement, Krishnamoorthi additionally cited a message telling such a driver to "self-deport or find out".
"Those spreading this hate, including officials in our own federal government, need to stop. Those who turn it into violence must be held accountable," he said, adding that he was praying for Singh's recovery and grateful to the family whose quick action helped save his life.
Investigators have not suggested any link between the social media post and the stabbing, and no motive has been established in the case. The two events are being reported separately, and no causal connection has been alleged by law enforcement.
Representative Mike Thompson, who represents California's 4th Congressional District, also condemned the attack. "This is horrible. This incident must be thoroughly investigated and the person responsible must be brought to justice," he said, adding that his thoughts were with Singh and his family.
Sikh advocacy organisations in the United States have for years raised concerns about profiling, discrimination and bias-motivated violence against their community. Trucking is a sector in which Sikh and other South Asian drivers have a long-established presence.
