'A wonderful soul': Oakville man, 42, and Burlington restaurant owner dead in QEW crash

Rama Pirakala was full of optimism.

Anyone who was around the 42-year-old married Oakville father of two could see it from his constant smile and ability to see the good in every situation.

"There was never any shouting from him, just filled with peace and kindness," said Satish Kalla, a close family friend. "Always looking for the good, the light at the end of the tunnel. Always willing to help and support the ones in need."

The positiveness associated with Pirakala quickly and suddenly turned to sadness when he was one of two people killed in a crash on the QEW in Mississauga last Thursday (June 16).

"In a split second we lost a wonderful soul," Kalla said.

The OPP are investigating the deadly crash which occurred around 10:30 p.m.

An initial collision occurred between two vehicles on the eastbound QEW near Cawthra Road.

Police said two people died as a result and another person sustained critical injuries.

Police said moments after the first collision, a third vehicle collided into the stopped vehicles. The driver of the third vehicle sustained minor injuries.

OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt said both drivers of the cars involved in the initial collision were outside of their vehicles when the third car collided into the back of the vehicles, causing fatal and life-threatening injuries:

Pirakala was co-owner of Charminar, an Indian restaurant in Burlington.

"All I can say is he was a man of his words. He was a great boss. Always calm. No matter what the situation is he always believed that anything and everything is possible," said Charminar manager Geetanjali Gill. "It's very upsetting that we lost him this soon."

Pirakala was also volunteer with multiple charity/support organizations, including Andhra Pradesh Non-Resident Telugu Society (APNRTS), where he was the regional coordinator for Canada.

Kalla is fundraising for Pirakala's family to support them during this difficult time and he has set up a GoFundMe page if people wish to donate.

He is survived by his wife and two young kids; a 10-year-old boy and four-year-old giirl.

"They are grief stricken and during this tough time, his well wishers are coming together to raise funds for his funeral and supporting his bereaved family," Kalla said.