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.

Police said the crash happened about 7.15pm on Wednesday on Te Puke Highway, between Bell Rd and Poplar Lane. One person died at the scene, while two occupants from the other vehicle were injured, the police confirmed to The New Zealand Herald.

A Givealittle page created to support the family has raised more than $34,000 to help cover funeral expenses, rent and daily living costs.

Dhillon had left home earlier that evening after spending time with his wife, Veerpal Kaur, and their 18-month-old daughter, Kudrat. According to Kaur, he told the family he would return later for dinner.

But when she stopped hearing from him, concern began to grow.

Later that night, a police officer arrived at the family’s home to inform her that her husband had died in the crash, Herald reported.

“I cried, I cried, I cried.

“I felt that my life is spoiled now,"as quoted by Herald.

Born in Punjab, Dhillon moved to New Zealand on a student visa in 2015. He later returned briefly to India in 2024 to marry Kaur after the pair met through family connections at a party and became friends.

“I thought that he’s a very good, thinking person and he’s innocent, loyal, and at that time he’s a perfect match for me.

“He did everything for me, and I can’t forget his love," Herald quoted.

After marrying, the couple settled in Pāpāmoa and worked on kiwifruit orchards before Dhillon later took up driving for Uber following the birth of their daughter.

Kaur said he chose the work because of the flexibility it gave him to spend time with his family.

“He was so excited when he found out he was going to be a dad," Herald quoted her as saying .

The couple named their daughter Kudrat, meaning “nature”, reflecting Dhillon’s love for the outdoors.

“We go outside, watch a movie, go to the park, Sikh temple, and go to the hill, and sometimes we love to [take a] long drive.”

Kaur told Herald their daughter closely resembled her father and had inherited his smile. Since his death, the toddler has continued asking where her father is.

She described Dhillon as someone who loved healthy food, enjoyed his morning coffee and embraced life in New Zealand.

“His thinking is the same, like a Kiwi.”

Dhillon’s close friend of 12 years, Gurlabh Singh, told Herald Dhillon was known for his positive nature and devotion to his family.

“He’s a nice guy, he’s friendly, he’s a good husband, good daddy, good son for his mum.”

“If I’m angry he said to me, ‘Why are you angry? Come with me, I will have lots of things to talk [about] with you.," Herald quoted him as saying.

Singh said Dhillon made spending time with his daughter a priority, often returning home during shifts just to see her.

“If at any time he misses his daughter, he comes home, spends time with her, then goes back to work," Herald quoted. 

He was also among the first people to search for Dhillon after he failed to return home that evening. Singh later arrived at the police cordon near the crash scene and eventually learned his friend had died there, according to the Herald report.

Dhillon’s funeral was held on Wednesday and drew mourners from across New Zealand.