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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 Los Gatos News And Events.

Born and raised in San Francisco, Andrew Zieman returned to his childhood alma mater – Sherman Elementary – to teach. But on Wednesday morning, just before school started, the 30-year-old para-educator was hit by a car on the sidewalk opposite the school. According to the police, he died on the scene.

“He was one of the nicest teachers I knew,” said first year Logan Klein.

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Logan said Zieman was one of his teachers after school.

“He always helped me when I was frustrated.”

School was out on Veterans Day, but Logan wanted to come over and pay his respects. His mother, Jessica Klein, witnessed the crash minutes after dropping Logan off at school on Wednesday.

“It was really shocking to see him lying there,” Jessica said through tears.

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When she was 12, Jessica said she had a dangerous car accident on Franklin Street and Filbert Street, one block away. You and many others hope the city can make the intersection safer for the school community.

“That could have been a kid so easily, and I think all parents and staff are very relieved that it wasn’t a kid, but it’s still heartbreaking that it was a teacher.”

Two cars were involved in the collision on Franklin Street and Union Street, according to SFPD. Witnesses report that a third car was also hit.

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The office of San Francisco supervisor Catherine Stefani says the accident is being investigated and charges may be brought against the drivers.

“It’s worrying to see people go through red lights. My mother was hit in a car on Franklin Street and Lombard,” said Peter Cimarelli, one of Zieman’s cousin.

“Andrew was a wonderful person, very smart. He just wanted to help people. He was really a good boy and it really hurts. “

ABC7 news reporter Kate Larsen spoke to Andrew’s parents on Thursday. Andrew was their only child and they are devastated. His mother, Maridine Zieman, said Andrew touched many lives and his father Richard Zieman said what happened to his son made him angry. But they want everyone to know how comforting it was to hear all of the kind words the headmaster, families, and ward said about their son. “

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Andrew’s friend Adrienne Yang says they met five years ago while working at Sherman.

In a moving statement, she wrote: “What fascinated me about him was his patient and gentle teaching. He loved his job and always strived to contribute to the school community. I am incredibly happy to have seen him at his best every day. ” He was my balance, my consolation and my light. This world will never have another like him. My heart will never be the same. I love you, Andrew. “

SFMTA employees plan to inspect Franklin and Union intersection on Friday. Supervisor Stefani says she will be there and would like to consider “all possible interventions to reduce traffic speed along this corridor, including new speed bumps, wider walkways, lane reductions, lighted crosswalks, additional lamp exits and lower speed limits”.

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