‘He was a great family guy’: Westford community mourns death of 45-year-old Ulhas Kudva, who was struck and killed by a car while jogging

The Westford community is mourning the death of a 45-year-old father of two who died Friday night when he was struck by a car while out jogging. The Middlesex District Attorney’s Office says Ulhas Kudva was on Route 110 near Technology Park Drive in Westford when he was hit around 9 p.m. He died at the scene.Friends and co-workers of the 45-year-old, who worked at IBM, gathered Sunday night to remember him, according to CBS Boston. Sandeep Alluri, a friend, told the station the father of two was “kind.”“He loves to run, he loves to run on the road, he has been doing this for a long time,” Alluri said. “He was so near and dear to us,” Sunil Nambiar told CBS Boston. “And the fact that the family has lost the primary breadwinner of the family, it was really tragic.”Nishi Bhadra told Boston 25 News she doesn’t know how his family is “going to cope” with his sudden passing. “He was a great family guy, and he was definitely very friendly and down to earth,” she told the station. “He always cooperated with others and helped others.” A GoFundMe page set up by friends of the family says the 45-year-old leaves behind his wife, a 14-year-old son, and an 8-year-old daughter. In two days, more than $127,500 was donated through the fundraiser to benefit his family.According to the page, Kudva was jogging near his home when he was hit. Funeral services were held in Manchester, New Hampshire. 

Ulhas Kudva Struck and Killed by Vehicle Near His Home in Westford, MA; Friends Raising Funds to Help Family https://t.co/R36qbUfDu7 pic.twitter.com/y4H406yUvL

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Dozens shared messages of condolences on the fundraising page.

“Ulhas, I’ll never forget your smile my friend,” wrote Jessica Tyrrell.

Katheryn Sherfey wrote that she’d only recently started working with the 45-year-old.

“He was one of the few who took the time to explain things so that I could understand,” she wrote. “I could always count on his quick replies and thorough help. I will miss working with him.”

“Ulhas was filled with a bright and wonderful spirit that we will all miss, but are the better for having known him,” wrote Wendy McCoy.

Authorities say the driver remained at the scene, and, while no charges have been filed, the crash remains under investigation.