A San Francisco public school educator was fatally struck by a vehicle Wednesday while walking in Cow Hollow, steps from the school where he taught, officials said.

Andrew Zieman, 30, was a paraeducator at Sherman Elementary School and the community is mourning the tragic loss.

“Andrew was a long-time staff member at our school and attended Sherman himself as an elementary student,” the school’s principal, Helen Parker, wrote in a letter sent to families and posted by KRON. “We are struggling to understand this tragic loss of life, especially since he meant so much to so many students, families, and staff. Andrew taught from the heart. He was patient and kind, and always a positive role model. I am sure you will join me in offering our deepest condolences to his family and friends.”

“Death never really hit me as hard,” Zieman’s cousin, Kevin Cabacungan, shared in a social media post. “He was a good, kind soul and I cannot believe it. We talked about nostalgia and movies almost all the time. We had dreams & ideas He went for his and was in a great place last I talked to him.

Zieman attended Sherman Elementary School as a child, KTVU reported.

The collision, which involved a pedestrian and two vehicles, was reported at around 7:55 am, minutes after school started, near the corner of Franklin and Union streets, the San Francisco Police Department said.

Despite live-saving measures by paramedics, Zieman was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police. Police are investigating what caused the collision.

The incident marks the city’s 12th pedestrian death in a traffic collision this year, Walk SF, an organization dedicated to making SF’s streets safer, said

“Our hearts go out to the victim’s family and friends,” Walk SF Executive Director Jodie Medeiros said in a statement on Wednesday. “Too many people are paying the ultimate price for unsafe streets.”

Although Franklin Street is not considered to be part of the city’s “high-injury network” — 13% of city streets where 75% of its crashes occur — the three-lane one-way street is a major thoroughfare and drivers tend to speed as they head north and down a steep hill, Walk SF said.

Bay City News contributed to this story.

The post San Francisco educator killed by automobile close to public faculty the place he taught appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

The family of a young educator mourns the victim killed in the Big Rig Rigmond-San Rafael bridge crash

The family of a man killed in a burning big-rig crash on the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge say the young San Francisco educator had a promising life ahead of him. Next week he would have been 32 years old.

SAN FRANCISCO – Family members remember Michael Baroja as loving and hardworking.

He died after a large drill crashed into his stuck car while driving home from work.

The 31-year-old worked at Robert Louis Stevenson Elementary in the Sunset neighborhood of San Francisco for six years.

His parents and sister said he loves helping children.

“It really fills my heart when the kids share the pictures and the parents share with us,” said Daisy Baroja, his mother.

Baroja’s parents and sister found solace in the outpouring of support from students, parents and school staff.

He had been a tech educator and after school teacher.

“I didn’t realize how much of an impact he had on the school,” Daisy said.

MORE: 49ers fan who owns Oakland restaurant in coma after being beaten at SoFi Stadium

Just before 7 p.m. on the night of January 26, the California Highway Patrol said Baroja’s 1988 Toyota Supra stalled while traveling eastbound on the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge. His car caught fire after a large drill rig hit it from behind.

Baroja was trapped in his car and died at the scene. Investigators said drugs and alcohol were not factors.

“My heart was beating really fast. My chest felt really empty. I was really cold,” his sister Kristine said.

“He is a very loving child. We are very close,” said his father Zosimo Baroja, he and his son had built the Toyota Supra involved in the accident together.

Working on old cars was her hobby, as was fishing.

Large derrick on Richmond-San Rafael Bridge bursts into flames, fatal collision disrupts traffic

The family spent a lot of time together.

They said Baroja was on his way home to San Pablo after work when he was killed.

“It’s so hard because he had everything in front of him, everything. Everything was lined up for him,” said Kristine, her brother planning to marry his longtime girlfriend and scheduled to leave for Hawaii just two days after his death.

MORE: Taco truck operators intervene during San Jose auto theft

He hoped to go back to school to become a recognized teacher.

“Mike meant so much to us. He was loved so much,” said retired teacher Dennis Molina, Baroja, known to his students as Mr. B, helped them with his computer skills and kindness.

“He delivered computers to their homes. He was on the phone with the parents,” said Molina.

Her loved ones said Baroja had a short but impactful life.

“I wish I could see him again,” said his father Zosimo Baroja.

The family plans to hold memorial services for Michael Baroja on February 10 and 11 at 4:30 p.m. at the Fairfield Funeral Home

He would have celebrated his 32nd birthday on February 9th.

To help the Baroja family, click here.

The post San Francisco educator killed in Richmond-San Rafael big-rig crash had promising life appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.