A Victoria taxi driver killed in a collision in last week in downtown Victoria has been identified by friends and family as Rajinder Singh, who everyone called Ronnie.
24 years old Ronnie lost his life in a devastating head-on collision in downtown Victoria, caused by a pickup truck being pursued by police. The Independent Investigations Office of BC (IIO) is investigating the incident that took place around 1 a.m. on October 19, 2024.
Information provided by the Victoria Police Department states that officers attempted to stop a Nissan Titan pickup truck on the 900-block of Douglas Street, near Courtney Street, after the vehicle was reportedly driving erratically.
The vehicle did not stop and was then involved in a collision with another vehicle and BC Transit bus approximately near the intersection of Douglas Street and Humboldt Street. The bus was not in service at the time and had no passengers.
Despite life-saving measures, the driver of the other vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the Nissan was arrested and taken into custody.
IIO was notified of the incident the same day and has now commenced an investigation.
Initial investigative steps will seek to clarify the circumstances leading up to and surrounding the collision and whether police action or inaction played a role.
“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. “As we come to terms with this tragedy, we want to honor Ronnie’s last wish: to be cremated and returned to India, where he can rest in peace among his loved ones. However, the financial burden of this process is overwhelming for his family.”