Sociology professor killed in hit-and-run accident near UC Berkeley

Michael Burawoy, a 77-year-old sociology professor emeritus at UC Berkeley, was killed in a hit-and-run accident in Oakland. He was crossing a street near Lake Merritt when an SUV struck him on Monday evening. The driver fled and remains unidentified. Burawoy was a respected figure in sociology, known for his contributions to labor studies and public sociology. He mentored many students during his 47 years at Berkeley and received tributes from colleagues and professional organizations following his death. Traffic fatalities are a concern in Oakland, with the city recently settling claims related to previous accidents. In San Francisco, pedestrian deaths have also increased, reaching the highest number in a decade last year.