Indian-Origin Driver Killed In New Zealand Highway Crash, Family Left Devastated

A 36-year-old Indian-origin man in New Zealand died in a road accident while working an evening shift, leaving behind his wife and young daughter.

The deceased has been identified as Ramandeep Dhillon from Pāpāmoa. Dhillon was killed on Wednesday after a collision involving two vehicles on Te Puke Highway between Bell Road and Poplar Lane at around 7.15 pm (local time).

Two Others Suffered Injuries

According to police, one person died at the scene while two people travelling in the other vehicle suffered injuries. Authorities said the incident is being investigated and has also been referred to the Coroner, The New Zealand Herald reported.

Dhillon had spent time with his wife, Veerpal Kaur, and their 18-month-old daughter, Kudrat, before leaving

for work that evening. He had told them he would be back later for dinner. Concern grew when he stopped answering calls, before police arrived at the family’s home later that night to break the news.

“I cried, I cried, I cried. I felt that my life is spoiled now,” Kaur told the outlet.

Originally from Punjab, Dhillon had moved to New Zealand in 2015 on a student visa. He travelled back to India in 2024 to marry Kaur after the pair were introduced through relatives. The couple later settled in the Bay of Plenty region, where they initially worked in kiwifruit orchards. Dhillon later took up driving for Uber to support the family and spend more time with his daughter.

“He was so excited when he found out he was going to be a dad,” Kaur said.

Fundraiser Launched To Support Family

Friends described him as a caring father who often returned home during work breaks just to spend time with his child. A fundraising page created for the family has collected thousands of dollars to assist with funeral and living expenses.