Grieving 20-year-old leapt in front of SUV at scene where his bride-to-be was killed

The Province 

SURREY - Jujhar Khunkhun says his bride-to-be, who died in mysterious circumstances, protected him as he chanced death by jumping in front of a fast-moving vehicle.

"I put my life in her hands and she let me live," Khunkhun, 20, said yesterday, lying in pain in Royal Columbian Hospital.

"It's a miracle I'm alive. She put a cloak around me. I don't have a broken bone."

Sukhvir Kaur Grewal, 19, allegedly fell from a truck her husband-to-be was driving early Monday.

Her relatives have raised questions about her death. Khunkhun said she fell out the door.

"Ever since the accident I have tried to replay the situation," he told The Province in an exclusive interview.

"It's hard to believe some of her relatives are questioning our love. I don't understand why they would say it was not an accidental fall."

On Tuesday, he said he decided to let Sukhvir determine whether he was to meet her in the afterlife now or whether he should live.

He said he "attempted suicide" at the crash site on 64th Avenue, just west of 124th Street.

"I needed an answer. I waited three to four minutes for the fastest truck moving at 80 km/h. I gave the driver no chance to move to the side and hopped in front of it. It threw me 35 feet."

Khunkhun's midsection hit the truck's hood, buckling him in half. His hips were damaged, as well as internal waist muscles. He won't be able to walk for three weeks.

He doesn't blame himself for his fiancée's death. He said she was not wearing a seat-belt and was sitting crosslegged facing him with her back to the door, bouncing up and down on the seat as she contemplated a "blowout" wedding. Her hands were under her.

He said it is not clear how the door came open.

The trip was the culmination of an exciting day for the Sikh couple. Both sets of parents had formally agreed to the marriage, according to custom.

Their relationship began two years earlier in Grade 11 at Abbotsford Senior High School. "I loved her smile," said Khunkhun.

She helped him with his junk-disposal business and the pair were planning to attend business classes at the B.C. Institute of Technology in January.

Although according to tradition the couple was not supposed to be together before the Oct. 20 wedding, they met late on the night of Oct. 7.

Khunkhun said his van had broken down and she insisted on picking him up in her parents' truck.

"It's bad luck to meet before the wedding but nowadays everyone gets together beforehand," said Khunkhun.

They argued about who should drive. She insisted he should, so she could enjoy a few minutes of happiness celebrating the parents' special blessing. He said they were affectionate and overjoyed about their forthcoming marriage.

Travelling west on 64th Avenue, he was looking to make a right-hand turn, but he was in the left lane. His speed was "45 to 50 km/h." It was early on Oct. 8.

He said he saw Sukhvir grasp desperately at the vehicle as she fell backwards out the door.

"I felt the cold air. Her right hand was reaching for the top of the door."

She hit the ground suffering life-ending head injuries.

"Her body was bruised and cut everywhere. Thirty seconds earlier she had been smiling.

"Anyone who doubts our relationship is a lost individual. If Sukhvir was here today to hear the doubts about our love [from her relatives], her only response would be one of shame."

Grewal's funeral is planned for Abbotsford Saturday.