Sikh trucker stabbed in Wyoming, stirring fresh fears in community

The attack came after deadly crashes involving Sikh drivers led to debate about licensing requirements and rising anti-immigrant sentiment

The stabbing of a truck driver at a remote Wyoming rest stop had US Sikhs on edge on Friday amid rising anti-immigrant vitriol against the community and its truck drivers in particular.

The Sikh victim was attacked from behind early Sunday while in a restroom at the Bitter Creek rest stop on Interstate 80 midway between Cheyenne and Salt Lake City, according to court documents. He suffered stabs to the neck and chest and over a dozen other cuts but survived.

While police say the motive is unknown, the attack came after deadly crashes involving Sikh truck drivers led to debate about commercial driver’s licensing requirements – sparking hatred towards Sikhs as a group, community leaders said.

Anti-Sikh sentiment has been especially severe on truck-driving forums, said one Sikh in the trucking industry, Harsimran Singh, CEO of Gillson Trucking in Stockton, California.