Former Intel India head Avtar Saini killed in road crash

Mumbai: Former Intel executive, Avtar Saini, 68, died on Thursday (Feb 29) in Navi Mumbai when a speeding cab struck his cycle along Palm Beach Road. The incident occurred at approximately 5:50 am near the Nerul Junction and the Seawoods Estate signal.

Saini, renowned for his contributions to chip design, including the development of Intel 386 and 486 microprocessors and the Pentium processor, was cycling with a group when the cab hit him from behind, causing fatal injuries. Despite attempts to flee, the cab driver, Hrishikesh Khade, was apprehended by nearby motorists after driving nearly one km.

DY Patil Hospital declared Saini dead upon arrival. The police lodged an FIR against the cab driver, charging him with offenses including rash driving and culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

Saini, a member of the Chembur Amateur Cycling Group for a decade, had lost his wife three years ago. He is survived by a son and a daughter living in the US. Colleagues and Intel India president Gokul V Subramaniam expressed condolences on social media.

(with agency inputs)