RALEIGH, N.C. — The quiet of a Sunday night turned into heartbreak for family, friends and a whole community after 35‑year‑old Arun K. Sandram was struck and killed late Sunday on Interstate 40 eastbound just before the Interstate 440 interchange. The Raleigh Police Department says Sandram was outside his vehicle around 10:50 p.m. when another driver hit him. The other driver was not seriously hurt, and officers have said there’s no sign that either person was impaired at the time.
Sandram’s death came without warning, and the shock rippled fast through the circle of people who knew him best. Friends describe him as a joyful, kind man whose laugh filled a room and whose dedication on the cricket field inspired his teammates. “He checks all the boxes,” said close friend Sandeep Manchikatla, recalling the moment he learned of the tragedy in the quiet hours of Monday morning.
For the Fuquay Mavericks, the local cricket team where Sandram was a standout player, the loss is deeply personal. He wasn’t just a teammate — he was the glue that held the group together. Harish Ramakrishna, another friend and fellow player, said that Sandram gave his all every time he stepped onto the field. “He was very passionate about sports… we cannot replace his position for sure,” Ramakrishna said. “We will cherish his name forever.”
Monday afternoon, the atmosphere at Sandram’s home was heavy with mourning. Family and friends gathered, sharing stories of his warm smile, his fun spirit, and the way he brought energy to every room. People moved slowly, grappling with disbelief as they tried to honor a life lost too soon. “Everyone is shell‑shocked,” Manchikatla said. “We’re all here to support the family in any way we can.”
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Sandram’s family, still reeling from the sudden loss, spent hours waiting for him to walk through the door. Even now, wrapped in grief, they cling to memories of his kindness and zest for life. Friends say that his contributions to the game and the friendship circle are “immense,” and that his presence will continue to shape each match and moment they share.
Teammates have vowed to keep Sandram’s spirit alive in future games. Before every match from here on, they plan to pause and remember him — acknowledging that while he may no longer be on the field, he will always be in their hearts. “Because even though he’s not physically on the team, I think he will be in our hearts in every game that we play going forward,” one friend said.
In a community that knew him as fun, generous and vibrant, Arun Sandram’s legacy will be defined not just by his cricket skills, but by the way he made people feel — held, valued, and part of something bigger than themselves.
