Said he'd be back for dinner: Indian-origin Uber driver killed in New Zealand crash

Indian-origin Uber driver Ramandeep Dhillon was killed in a two-vehicle crash on Te Puke Highway in New Zealand. His death has left his young family grieving as friends and the community rally around them.

In Short

• Dhillon leaves behind wife Veerpal Kaur and 18-month-old daughter Kudrat
• Accident occurred on Te Puke Highway near Pāpāmoa involving two vehicles
• Fundraiser raised over NZD 33,000 for family support and funeral expenses

An Indian-origin Uber driver living in New Zealand was killed in a road accident last week, leaving behind his wife and 18-month-old daughter, according to local media reports. Ramandeep Dhillon, 36, died in a two-vehicle crash on Te Puke Highway near Papamoa on May 13, Wednesday evening.

The accident took place around 7.15 pm between Bell Road and Poplar Lane. Police confirmed the following day that one person had died at the scene, while two people travelling in the other vehicle were injured.

Dhillon, originally from Punjab in northwestern India, had moved to New Zealand on a student visa in 2015. He later returned briefly to India in 2024 to marry Veerpal Kaur before the couple settled together in Papamoa. The couple initially worked in kiwifruit orchards in the region. After the birth of their daughter, Kudrat, Dhillon started driving for Uber as the flexible work schedule allowed him to spend more time with his child.

According to Kaur, the family had spent time together earlier on the day of the accident before Dhillon left home for work. He had told them he would return later for dinner. However, she did not hear from him for a while. Then a police officer arrived at their home later that night and informed her that her husband had died in the crash. “I cried, I cried, I cried,” Kaur was quoted as saying by local media. “I felt that my life is ruined now.”

Kaur said Dhillon had been excited about becoming a father and deeply loved spending time with his daughter. The couple named their daughter Kudrat, meaning “nature”, reflecting his love for the outdoors.

She said the family often spent time together visiting parks, gurudwaras, watching movies and going on long drives. Their daughter, she added, resembles her father and has inherited his smile.

Dhillon’s close friend, Gurlabh Singh, described him as a caring and cheerful person. “He’s a nice guy, friendly, a good husband, a good daddy,” Singh said.

The two had met while studying in New Zealand and remained close friends for over a decade. Singh said Dhillon always prioritised spending time with his daughter and would often return home during work breaks just to see her.

Singh was also among the first people who went searching for Dhillon after he failed to return home on time. He later learned that his friend had died at the scene of the crash.

Dhillon’s funeral was held on Wednesday and was attended by people from across New Zealand.

Meanwhile, an online fundraising page on givealittle platform created for the family has raised more than 33,000 New Zealand dollars to help cover funeral expenses, rent and other living costs.

- Ends