Ritu Jha–
Sudarshan Bahl, an Indian American adjunct professor at the University of Santa Clara Extension died in a multi-vehicle car crash in Campbell, California on Thursday, October 19. He was 73.
According to the Campbell Police Department, the accident occurred around 12:52 p.m. when a 37-year-old Fabian Andres Colorado, lost control of the vehicle he was driving, leading to a multi-vehicle injury collision at the intersection of San Tomas Expressway and Campbell Avenue in Campbell, Calif.
The driver of a vehicle traveling northbound on San Tomas Expressway attempted to turn right onto Campbell Avenue, lost control, and struck the cement median. The vehicle then entered opposing lanes of traffic on Campbell Avenue and hit three vehicles before coming to a stop.
The crash killed Bahl, who was in the driver’s seat. His wife, Manju (68) who was in the front passenger seat, taken to a hospital with serious injuries. The Bahls have a son named Ankur (41), who is an artist.
Vish Mishra, former president of The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE), said, “Prof Bahl was very active with TiE during my time as a board member and president.” He said he was shocked to hear about Prof Bahl’s demise. “It is so tragic. He was a great man and an excellent volunteer,” Mishra told indica.
Raj Desai, another friend of Bahl said, “This accident happened very close to our home in Campbell. At a stop sign on the intersection of Campbell Avenue and San Thomas. We are really sad to learn of his sudden death.”
Sharing the condition of Bahl’s wife Desai said. “Mom’s condition remains relatively unchanged. She is still intubated and in critical condition in ICU. Doctors are advising us not to think in hours or days in terms of recovery and prognosis. We will have to be thinking in terms of weeks and months.”
Jai Rawat, TiE Silicon Valley member said, “This is incredibly tragic. I remember working with him during TiEcons.”
Campbell Police Chief Gary Berg said in a press note, “We would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the victim. It is with a heavy heart that we share that the male adult driver of one of the vehicles struck lost his life at the scene, while the female adult passenger of the same vehicle was transported to the hospital in critical condition. Our thoughts are with the families of the victims during this incredibly challenging time. No other individuals involved in this collision sustained major injuries.“
Letysia Moresco, communications and public engagement coordinator at Campbell Police Department, said, “Our preliminary investigation has revealed that the driver of the vehicle that caused the collision was traveling at a high rate of speed and was unable to navigate the turn. The driver has been identified as Fabian Andres Colorado, 37 years old, and has been arrested and booked for vehicular manslaughter. “This is still an open investigation of the incident and arrest of Fabian Andres Colorado so this will be all the information we are releasing at the moment.”
Bahl taught logistics and transportation management at Santa Clara. According to the university website Bahl was a recognized expert in operations, supply chain management, customer care, quality, reliability, and Lean Six Sigma. He has managed global quality, supply chain and engineering organizations for close to 30 years. He held senior posts in quality and operational excellence for several global Fortune 500 corporations. He also managed corporate sustainability, and social and environmental responsibility initiatives.
He served on the advisory board of corporations and nonprofit organizations and was a member of the Board of Examiners of the Shingo Institute, and an assessor for the AME Manufacturing Excellence Award. He implemented processes for prestigious awards including the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award and the Shingo Prize for Operational Excellence.
Also an entrepreneur, he ran successful consulting, health food, and sporting goods businesses. Prof Bahl holds master’s degrees from Santa Clara University, University of Toronto, and from the Institute for Advanced Studies at Meerut University in India.
Bahl’s funeral rites will take place on Saturday, October 28, at the Alameda Funeral Home in Saratoga.
