Maine assistant principal killed after leading police on high-speed chase, police say

Jacob Brown, 34, an assistant principal at Scarborough High School, was killed Saturday night when his vehicle left the highway, struck trees and burst into flames after a high-speed pursuit with state police, authorities said.

Maine State Police said troopers initially stopped Brown around 9:30 p.m. on Interstate 295 in Richmond, about 40 minutes north of Portland, after receiving reports of a vehicle operating erratically. Brown pulled his 2021 gray Jeep Wrangler to the roadside, then fled the scene at high speed, the agency said. When the vehicle later came into view, it went off the right side of the highway, crashed into the woods and ignited. Brown, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected from the vehicle. Troopers attempted life-saving measures, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police said speeding and alcohol were contributing factors in the crash, which remains under investigation. A spokeswoman for Maine State Police told the Daily Mail there were no updates at the time the outlet contacted the agency.

Scarborough Public Schools Superintendent Diane Nadeau said in a statement to PEOPLE that Brown "left a lasting impression" on students and colleagues. "He had a natural gift for building meaningful relationships; his fun-loving spirit, warm smile, and steady presence lifted those around him," she said. The district canceled classes Monday and offered counseling to students.

Friends, former colleagues and members of the local hockey community remembered Brown as an engaged educator and volunteer. Norm Gagne, a hockey coach who mentored Brown, told the Portland Press Herald that Brown rose through the ranks from teacher to assistant athletic director at the junior high before becoming an administrator. "He was just an outstanding person," Gagne said, adding that Brown was known for effective communication with students and families.

Jill St. Louis, a family friend, told WMTW that the news devastated the community and said many will wrestle with unanswered questions about the circumstances of the crash. "At the end of the day, a really great life was lost, and I think that’s where the focus needs to be," she said.

Brown also served as a youth hockey coach and had volunteered with the Maine Principals’ Association, colleagues said. A growing memorial was placed outside Scarborough High School in the days after his death.

State police said their investigation is ongoing and did not provide further details about the sequence of events leading up to the stop or the officer actions during the encounter. Authorities confirmed that law enforcement attempted to pursue the vehicle after it fled and that emergency responders conducted life-saving efforts at the crash scene.

The community response included expressions of grief from students, parents and local organizations as the district arranged counseling and support. The school district and local leaders encouraged anyone with information relating to the crash to contact Maine State Police as the probe continues.