A Victoria taxi driver killed in a collision in the early morning hours Saturday in downtown Victoria is being remembered as a devoted son and good friend who spread happiness and good will in everything he did.
Rajinder Singh, who everyone called Ronnie, was killed in a crash involving a bus and a pickup truck which was fleeing police on Douglas Street near Courtney and Humboldt streets at 1 a.m.
Fellow cab drivers who attended a memorial for the driver at the site later Saturday said Singh was stopped at a red light when the fatal collision occurred. The front end and driver’s side of Singh’s green Victoria Taxi was smashed in, with pieces of the vehicle strewn over the street.
Victoria police said despite life-saving efforts, Singh was pronounced dead at the scene.
“We are heartbroken … his sudden departure leaves a void in the hearts of all who knew him,” said Amit Jagopotra, a close friend who started a GoFundMe page for the 25-year-old Singh.
Jagopotra said Singh leaves behind a brother and a sister, and was a “devoted son to his ailing parents” in India, who he was helping to financially support.
Singh worked as a taxi driver at night and juggled multiple day jobs, said his friend.
“Ronnie dedicated his life to supporting his family, sacrificing his own dreams to ensure theirs could thrive,” said Jagopotra.
B.C.’s civilian-led police-watchdog agency is investigating because Victoria police had tried to stop the Nissan Titan pickup before the crash, after receiving reports that the vehicle was being driven erratically.
The Independent Investigations Office looks into police-involved incidents resulting in death or serious injury.
No injuries were reported on the bus, which was not in service at the time and had no passengers.
The driver of the Nissan Titan truck was arrested and taken into custody.
The IIO said it will clarify the circumstances leading up to and surrounding the crash, and whether police action or inaction was a factor.
Victoria police said in a statement that officers responded to a “developing situation” that ended up being fatal.
“Our thoughts are with the victim’s family and our thanks goes to our officers, who did their best to save a life,” police said.
Following the street memorial on Saturday, prayers were held at Gurudwara Singh Sabha on Cecilia Road.
Cab drivers from other companies joined drivers in Saturday’s street memorial, where people placed flowers and photos of Singh.
David Banks, who has driven a cab in Victoria for two decades, told CHEK News he hopes the investigation will determine what caused the crash.
“We go through a lot of the same challenges and experiences,” Banks said. “To lose someone that way, so tragically, there’s great hope that certainly lessons can be learned from this situation.”
The GoFundMe page had raised just over $53,000 by Monday evening.
Jagopotra said the goal is to honour the Singh family’s wish that their son be cremated and returned to India. However, the financial burden is overwhelming for his family, he said.
“Every contribution, no matter how small, will be deeply appreciated and will go directly toward fulfilling Ronnie’s final wish and supporting his grieving family during this incredibly difficult time,” said Jagopotra.
> Online: gofundme.com/f/help-ronnie-family
