Students and staff at Staples High School are remembering an exceptional teacher who died in a crash Saturday on I-95 in Old Lyme.

Mike Sansur taught technology classes for 18 years and had a passion for encouraging future educators.

The principal said Sansur's classes were always extremely popular, and the school has been receiving condolences from alumni he inspired.

Police say Sansur pulled his car off to the side of I-95 for unknown reasons when another driver rear-ended his car.

The news hit the Staples High School community hard. Sansur is remembered as an inspiring man who played a major role in helping students discover their passion for building, engineering and electronics.

"So many kids I know loved his class and had so much fun and would take year after year, even though they had done it before," said Kaila Kennedy.

Principal Stafford Thomas Jr. says Sansur had enjoyed connecting with students who were considering becoming teachers themselves.

"He said his job at Staples was the best job in the world. I believe it. He was a sincere man, we are fortunate to have had him here for 18 glorious years," said Thomas.

Sansur's son, also named Michael, was in the car and was seriously injured in the crash.

Police are asking any witnesses, or anyone with dashcam footage of the crash to assist them.

There is no word on why Sansur pulled off to the side of the Interstate. Police also note his airbags did not go off.