UC Berkeley Professor Emeritus Michael Burawoy Killed in Oakland Hit-and-Run

Dr. Michael Burawoy, a prominent sociology professor emeritus at UC Berkeley, was killed on Monday evening in a hit-and-run incident while walking in a marked crosswalk near Lake Merritt in Oakland. The 77-year-old was struck by a dark-colored SUV, which fled the scene shortly after the collision. Burawoy was transported to a hospital but was pronounced dead upon arrival. His passing has deeply affected the academic community, with UC Berkeley's Dean of Social Sciences, Raka Ray, describing him as an influential figure who transformed sociology and mentored countless students over nearly five decades. Burawoy held leadership roles in several prestigious organizations, including the American Sociological Association, and his contributions to the field were widely recognized, earning him over 50,000 citations. The Oakland Police are investigating the incident and are seeking information from the public.