Taxi driver’s devastating toll after waterfront crash involving Hollywood star

A taxi driver seriously hurt in a waterfront crash involving Hollywood actor Cliff Curtis says he has multiple broken bones, internal injuries and faces two months of bed rest. 

Gagan Deep Singh had been waiting for passengers a fortnight ago on Auckland’s bustling waterfront when his car was struck by a Tesla at the intersection of Jellicoe and Halsey Sts. 

Singh said he had taken off his seatbelt to relax minutes before the collision, which pushed his now-destroyed Prius into a nearby concrete bench about 10.30pm. 

Singh estimated his vehicle was shunted up to 5m, trapping him inside until firefighters cut him out. 

Emergency services at the scene of the serious crash at the intersection of Jellicoe and Halsey Sts in downtown Auckland, after a Tesla crashed into a parked taxi. 

Two people were taken to hospital with injuries. The movie star confirmed last week he was one of those treated. 

The Herald previously reported Curtis was allegedly driving under the influence during the crash between his Tesla and a parked taxi. 

Police say a 58-year-old man has been summonsed to appear in the Auckland District Court on October 15 over charges of reckless driving and driving with excess blood alcohol. 

Firefighters provided Singh with life support until St John ambulance paramedics arrived at the scene and transported him to Auckland City Hospital. 

From his Auckland home where he is on enforced bed rest, Singh told the Herald he needed stitches in his head after striking the window glass and suffered eight broken ribs, a broken collarbone, a lower hip fracture and multiple injuries to his hand. 

“With that pressure, my chest got pressed and my lungs bled inside,” he said. “Because of that, I couldn’t breathe at that time, and I forgot everything that had happened.” 

The private taxi driver was put on oxygen for about five days and experienced short-term memory loss after a concussion. 

“Like I wake up, I know what is going on here and there, and when I close my eyes, then everything is washed [away].” 

The crash left Gagan Deep Singh with multiple fractures and internal injuries, and he was put on oxygen for about five days. Photo / Gagan Deep Singh 

Singh was starting to recall things better now since being discharged from hospital but was still struggling to remember the details of the night. 

“I don’t know from where the car came and how they hit,” he said. 

Singh said his doctor had told him he would need to remain on bed rest for 60 days, putting him out of work for the foreseeable future. 

“I’m sitting in at home and I don’t know what will happen,” he said. 

“I’m the only child of my parents. I have responsibilities, so it’s really hard. I already have anxiety issues, so they gave me medicines which are very strong.” 

Another local driver, Jeet, said the crash would have a significant financial impact on Singh. 

“We are always on the road, and we always try not to get involved in any incident. We don’t want anything where it stops our night. 

“At the end of the day, he did nothing and loses a lot.” 

In a statement about the incident last week, Curtis said he was “collaborating fully with relevant authorities”. 

“I am deeply saddened by this incident. My thoughts are with those who were hurt, and their families at this time,” he said. 

No further comment would be made “out of respect for the process”.