Lincoln police ID victim in fiery school crash

9.18.2008 -  

LINCOLN, R.I. (WPRI) - The state medical examiner has identified the driver in Friday's deadly crash as 34-year-old, Jay Paul.

Paul was killed when his car crashed into Lincoln High School, bursting into flames on Friday afternoon. Classes were held as scheduled on Monday.

School Superintendent Georgia Fortunato said the building has been inspected by engineers and is structurally sound. Counselors were on hand for the students.

Meanwhile, the community of Lincoln High School is still in disbelief, and plywood covers the school's charred exterior after Friday's violent crash that killed the former teacher's aide. Neighbors who knew him say he was a loner who kept to himself.

A team of construction workers descended on Lincoln High School Saturday to rebuild the entrance scorched by a fiery car crash the day before. Incredibly, only the Paul was killed; no one else was hurt.

It happened shortly before 3:00 PM Friday, after students had left for the day. Eyewitnesses say the 34-year-old teacher's aide had reportedly just been fired, and plowed his car into the doorway. It burst into flames.

Police confirmed an accelerant was present was found inside the car's cabin. School staff on scene did help try to get him out.

Outside the apartment complex on Mendon Road where the teacher's aide lived neighbors tell Eyewitness News he was a troubled man, often keeping to himself and receiving frequent visits from his parents.

Neighbor Helen Shurgot describes the 34-year-old as a "very disturbed man.... Very nervous." He was very smart, but had an odd habit: "He always wore gloves. Never took them off. Black gloves. Summer, winter, anytime. (He) would never take them (sic) gloves off."

The man was reportedly a graduate of the Wheeler School in Providence.

"His father said he was the top of his class," said neighbor Robert Allard. "And that he was a teacher."

At the home of the man's parents in Lincoln, his family said they were in mourning and had no comment.

The police investigation continues.