Embarrassed by arrest, Indian-American trucker stabs himself

An Indian-American truck driver allegedly stabbed himself to death on November 26, two days after he was arrested for a driving under the influence (of alcohol) offence.

The body of Lakhbir Singh, 36, of Live Oak, California, was discovered lying in someone's front yard around 7:30 am.

Captain Lewis McElfresh of the Sutter County sheriff's department said by the time medical assistance arrived, "Singh succumbed to injuries. It did not look suspicious. The wounds were self inflicted," Captain McElfresh told Rediff.com

According to the police officer, after he spoke to Singh's family, it was felt the truck driver had died because of his arrest. Singh's family said he was very upset and embarrassed after he was arrested on November 24.

"One could draw the conclusion why he did it," noted Captain McElfresh.

Singh is survived by his wife, son and two daughters.

A kitchen knife was recovered at the scene. Blood was also discovered in Singh's home.

"It seems he first stabbed himself at home," Captain McElfresh said, "and then took a bicycle, as his body was found about one-third of a mile from his residence."

Singh's wife told the police she last spoke to him at 4 am when she woke up with a headache and her husband asked her to take some medicine.

When she woke up later, she did not find him at home. The blood inside the house made her sceptical and she drove to hunt for her husband.