A California man faces the possibility of a life sentence after prosecutors alleged that he stabbed a commercial truck driver multiple times at a highway rest stop in Wyoming.
Andrew Bzdak, 44, has been formally charged with attempted first-degree murder in connection with a violent attack on 28-year-old Gurvinder Singh.
As reported by Wyoming-based news outlet Cowboy State Daily, Singh is a truck driver from Sacramento, California, who pulled into the Bitter Creek Rest Stop in Rock Springs, Wyoming, at approximately 3:30 a.m. on September 13. During a court hearing held on Wednesday, a Sweetwater County sheriff’s deputy testified that surveillance footage captured Singh entering the restroom facility, followed closely by an individual whom investigators subsequently identified as Bzdak.
Shortly after both men were observed entering the building, Bzdak was captured on camera running out of the facility. Singh was then seen stumbling out of the restroom before collapsing onto the ground.
According to an affidavit obtained by Cowboy State Daily, investigators indicated that multiple witnesses reported Singh’s injuries and stated they had heard sounds of a struggle coming from inside the men’s restroom. A family present at the scene informed police that they witnessed Bzdak sprint toward his semi-truck and allegedly flee the premises. That same family reportedly pursued the vehicle and supplied law enforcement with identifying details and photographs of the truck.
When investigators spoke with Singh, he stated that he had been attacked from behind. He managed to push his assailant away and observed that the individual was allegedly clutching a blue knife. Singh further informed police that the man who allegedly stabbed him made no verbal communication prior to carrying out the attack.
According to the affidavit, investigators determined that Singh sustained 17 separate knife wounds, including two to his chest and two to his neck. He survived the assault and subsequently recovered at his residence.
The Wyoming State Patrol located Bzdak’s semi-truck at a Flying J truck stop at approximately 5:00 a.m. on the same morning. Bzdak was found and taken into custody without incident. During Wednesday’s hearing, the sheriff’s deputy testified that law enforcement discovered a Walmart shopping bag containing clothing and wet wipes that appeared to bear bloodstains.
Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Jeff Sheaman told various media outlets, including Cowboy State Daily, that investigators had not established a clear motive for the attack on Singh, who is of the Sikh faith. Sweetwater County Attorney Daniel Erramouspe stated to the outlet in September that “there’s no indication that it’s a hate crime.”
Bzdak remains in custody at the Sweetwater County Detention Center, where he is being held on a $1 million surety bond. His next scheduled court appearance has not been made public.
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