A 28-year-old Punjabi Sikh truck driver from Sacramento was stabbed 17 times at a rest area in Wyoming, leaving him hospitalised with serious injuries to his neck, chest, arms and ribs.
The driver, who asked to be identified only by his surname, Singh, said he was attacked inside a restroom at the Bitter Creek Rest Area along Interstate 80 early Sunday while travelling towards Pennsylvania.
According to Singh, another man followed him into the restroom and suddenly began assaulting him before pulling out a knife.
Singh suffered multiple stab wounds before managing to escape the restroom. He then collapsed outside and called for help.
Family at Rest Stop Helped Injured Driver
A family present at the rest area heard the commotion and rushed to help Singh.
The family attempted to attend to his injuries and seek medical assistance. They also provided authorities with information about the suspect’s truck.
Singh later credited the family with helping save his life.
Based on the information provided, the Wyoming Highway Patrol located the suspect’s vehicle near Rawlins, around 70 miles from the rest area.
The suspect, identified as 45-year-old Andrew Kris Bzdak, was arrested.
Prosecutors have charged Bzdak with attempted first-degree murder. Authorities have not announced a motive for the stabbing.
Singh Remains Hospitalised
Singh, who has been working as a commercial truck driver for around three years, remained in hospital as of Wednesday.
He suffered multiple cuts and stab wounds, including injuries to his chest and ribs.
Following the attack, Singh expressed concern over the safety of other Punjabi Sikh truck drivers travelling across the United States.
Attack Comes Days After Controversial DHS ‘Mr Singh’ Post
The stabbing took place only days after the US Department of Homeland Security drew criticism over an AI-generated social media graphic featuring a Sikh-looking truck driver referred to as “Mr Singh”.
The Transformers-style poster, titled “Transformers: Age of Deportations,” showed a large Transformer bearing DHS insignia facing a man wearing a head covering.
The graphic carried the message: “America for Americans. Get off our roads; you don’t know how to drive, Mr Singh,” while also promoting the Trump administration’s “self-deport” campaign.
The DHS post triggered criticism from Sikh-American groups, journalists and other social media users, who accused the department of stereotyping and targeting people with the surname Singh.
However, law enforcement authorities investigating the Wyoming stabbing have not established any connection between the DHS post and the attack, and the motive in the stabbing remains undetermined.
Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi Condemns Attack
Indian-origin Democratic Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi condemned the stabbing and raised concerns about rhetoric targeting Sikh and South Asian Americans.
“I’m horrified by the brutal attack on a Sikh truck driver who was stabbed 17 times at a Wyoming rest stop,” Krishnamoorthi said in a statement.
He also criticised the recent DHS graphic and called on Americans to stand against hatred and violence.
“Those who turn it into violence must be held accountable. And all of us need to stand together against both,” he said, while wishing Singh a full recovery.
Sikh-American Journalist Also Criticised DHS Graphic
The DHS campaign had already drawn criticism before the stabbing.
Fox 7 Austin journalist Alec Nolan described the “Mr Singh” graphic as racist and demeaning while sharing his own family’s history in the United States.
Nolan said his grandfather, Dan Singh, and great-grandfather, Katha Singh, had built their lives in America, with his grandfather also working as a truck driver.
The Wyoming stabbing has now renewed concerns within parts of the Sikh and South Asian community over their safety.
For investigators, however, the immediate focus remains on establishing the circumstances and motive behind the attack as Bzdak faces an attempted first-degree murder charge.
