A 36-year-old Indian-origin father of one has tragically died following a two-vehicle crash while working a late evening Uber shift in New Zealand, leaving his family in deep mourning. Ramandeep Dhillon from Pāpāmoa was killed on Wednesday when his vehicle was involved in a collision on Te Puke Highway, between Bell Road and Poplar Lane, around 7:15 PM.
Crash Details and Investigation
Police confirmed that one person died at the scene, while two occupants of the other vehicle sustained injuries. The circumstances surrounding the crash remain under investigation and have been referred to the Coroner for further inquiry. Authorities have not yet released additional details about the cause of the accident.
Family's Heartbreaking Loss
Dhillon had left home earlier that evening after spending time with his wife, Veerpal Kaur, and their 18-month-old daughter, Kudrat. He told them he would return later for dinner, but never came back. When he stopped answering calls, concern grew before police arrived later that night to inform his wife of his death.
“I cried, I cried, I cried. I felt that my life is spoiled now,” Kaur told the New Zealand Herald, expressing her profound grief.
Background and Journey to New Zealand
Dhillon was born in Punjab, India, and moved to New Zealand in 2015 on a student visa. He later returned to India in 2024 to marry Kaur after they were introduced through family connections. Following their marriage, the couple settled in Pāpāmoa, Bay of Plenty, where they initially worked in kiwifruit orchards. Dhillon later began driving for Uber to support the family and spend more time at home after their daughter was born.
A Devoted Father and Husband
Kaur said the job gave him flexibility to stay close to his child and described how excited he was about becoming a father. “He was so excited when he found out he was going to be a dad,” she told the New Zealand Herald. The couple named their daughter Kudrat, meaning “nature.” Since his death, the toddler has continued asking where her father is.
Friends and family described Dhillon as a devoted husband and father who always prioritized time with his daughter, even during work breaks. “If he missed his daughter, he would come home, spend time with her, then go back to work,” a close friend told the New Zealand Herald.
His best friend of 12 years, Gurlabh Singh, said Dhillon was a positive and caring person who supported those around him, including picking him up from the airport when he first arrived in New Zealand.
Community Support
A Givealittle page set up for the family has raised tens of thousands of dollars to help cover funeral costs, rent, and living expenses as Kaur and their daughter face life without him. The community has rallied around the grieving family, offering financial and emotional support during this difficult time.
