Indian-Origin Uber Driver Ramandeep Dhillon Killed In Te Puke Highway Crash In New Zealand

A two-vehicle crash on Te Puke Highway in New Zealand killed 36-year-old Ramandeep Dhillon, an Indian-origin driver working an evening Uber shift, on Wednesday at around 7.15pm.

“Uber driver Ramandeep Dhillon killed in crash, leaving young family behind A Bay of Plenty family is mourning the loss of 36-year-old Pāpāmoa man Ramandeep Dhillon, who died in a two-vehicle crash while working as an Uber driver last week”

Indianweekender

Police said one person died at the scene while two occupants in the other vehicle were injured, and the circumstances were still under investigation and referred to the Coroner.

Indianweekender

Dhillon, identified as being from Pāpāmoa, had left home earlier that evening after spending time with his wife, Veerpal Kaur, and their 18-month-old daughter, Kudrat, telling them he would return later for dinner.

Concern grew when he stopped answering calls, before police arrived later that night to inform Kaur of his death.

Kaur told the outlet that she cried repeatedly after learning of Dhillon’s death, saying, “I cried, I cried, I cried. I felt that my life is spoiled now,” as the crash was investigated and referred to the Coroner.

The New Zealand Herald was cited in multiple accounts for the timeline, including that police arrived later that night to break the news after Dhillon stopped responding.

News18

Friends and family described Dhillon as a devoted father who made time for his daughter even during work shifts, with one close friend telling NZ Herald, “If he missed his daughter, he would come home, spend time with her, then go back to work,”.

The Australia Today also reported that Dhillon’s funeral was held on Tuesday 20 May at Pyes Pa Memorial Park & Chapel at 11am, drawing mourners from across New Zealand.

After Dhillon’s death, a Givealittle page created to support the family raised more than $34,000 to help cover funeral expenses, rent and daily living costs, according to Indianweekender.

“AA Bay of Plenty family is mourning the sudden death of 36-year-old Pāpāmoa man Ramandeep Dhillon, who was killed in a two-vehicle crash while working as an Uber driver on the Te Puke Highway last week”

The Australia Today

The Australia Today reported a higher figure, saying the Givealittle page had raised more than $37,000 to help cover funeral costs, rent and living expenses as Kaur now faces life without her husband.

Dhillon had moved to New Zealand in 2015 on a student visa, and the couple later settled in Pāpāmoa in the Bay of Plenty region after working in kiwifruit orchards.

Kaur said their daughter Kudrat has continued asking where her father is, while Dhillon’s close friend of 12 years, Gurlabh Singh, described him as “a nice guy, he’s friendly, he’s a good husband, good daddy, good son for his mum.”