31-Year-Old Elementary School Teacher Dies in Semi-Truck Crash on Bridge

RICHMOND, CA (February 3, 2022) – Wednesday night, 31-year-old Michael Baroja was killed in a big-rig accident on Richmond-San Rafael Bridge.

The crash occurred shortly after 7:00 p.m., when a Toyota sedan and a big-rig truck collided midspan on the bridge.

According to officials, Baroja’s 1988 Toyota Supra stalled while he was driving home from work, heading east on the bridge. Shortly after, an eastbound semi-truck struck the rear of the Toyota.

Upon impact, the semi-truck caught on fire. Luckily, the big-rig driver managed to escape the vehicle. However, the sedan driver was found trapped inside the car.

Due to the extent of injuries sustained, medics pronounced Baroja dead at the scene. The 31-year-old had worked at Robert Louis Stevenson Elementary in the Sunset neighborhood in San Francisco for six years.


The team at Sweet James sends out their heartfelt sympathies to the friends and family of Michael Baroja who are grieving over the loss of their loved one.


It is important to have strong legal representation on your side when losing a loved one in a big-rig accident. Reach out to the wrongful death lawyers at Sweet James today. With 20 years of experience in the field, they know what it takes to help you win your case. Their team understands that nothing can alleviate the emotional pain of a death of a loved one, but they can help you seek justice and compensation. Call their office at (800) 975-3435 for a free and confidential case evaluation. You can reach them 24 hours a day and 7 days a week through email, text, and online chat. Click here to request a police report.

For more accident news, click here.

Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting LA Weekly and our advertisers.