Deceased Uber driver remembered as a hard-working father, provider

Family members of the Las Vegas man killed Sunday by a suspected drunken driver said he was taken too soon, but will live on in the hearts of those he left behind.

Laszlo Varga, 56, was his family’s breadwinner. While on the job about 6:45 a.m. in North Las Vegas, the Uber driver was ejected from his Volkswagen Tiguan at the intersection of East Centennial Parkway and Losee Road. While transporting two passengers, his car spun out almost three times when it was struck by a drunken driver speeding past a red light, police said.

Varga was taken to the University Medical Center, where he died. Varga’s two passengers were also transported with minor injuries.

The 29-year-old impaired driver was arrested and booked into the Las Vegas City Jail the same day on charges including DUI resulting in death and two counts of DUI with substantial bodily harm. The suspect, Alex Sadler, admitted to police he was drunk and had been drinking beer and mixed drinks, according to the arrest report.

Varga’s only daughter, Jessica Christine Varga, said her father died “trying to provide for his family.” He was an “exceptional driver,” who made a career out of it for over 25 years after moving to the United States from Hungary.

In a Facebook post honoring him, Jessica wrote that Varga was the “ONLY man” her son knew as a father. “The pain is unbearable,” she added, followed by four broken-hearted emojis. Varga raised his grandson from birth. Peter even called him Dad.

Uber released a statement saying, “No family should have to suffer such a devastating loss. Our hearts go out to Laszlo’s family, and we wish the riders a speedy recovery.”

In a GoFundMe created to help pay for funeral costs, Jessica said her father was “a very hard-working man and did anything and everything for his family.”

Remembering her father’s smile and laughter, Jessica was able to say with conviction that “he is looking down upon us and taking care of us like he always did.”

Varga leaves behind his wife of 31 years, Aranka Varga, his two sons and daughter, and his only grandson. He is also survived by his three brothers.

Review-Journal reporter Gabriella Benavidez contributed to this story. Contact Rio Lacanlale at rlacanlale@reviewjournal.com or at 702-383-0381. Follow @riolacanlale on Twitter.