Police said Friday they have concluded a Cumberland man who died in a head-on collision in Gray last month caused the crash intentionally.

According to Sgt. Michael Edes of the Maine State Police, Beckmann died after his Ford Explorer collided head-on with a commercial truck driven by Frederick Capen, 37, of Lancaster, Mass., according to Sgt. Michael Edes.

A man who knew Thomas Beckmann, 52, deeply misses a generous friend who dedicated himself to teaching tennis and skiing to learners of all ages.

Bill Landis, director of recreation and community education in Cumberland, recalled Beckmann for his passion and enthusiasm.

“He was very intelligent, very analytical, and always wanted to make tennis more fun for everyone,” Landis said.

Police say Beckmann was headed south on Route 26 about a mile north of State Police barracks in Gray just after 9 a.m. when his Explorer crossed two northbound lanes into the path of the truck driven by Capen.

Beckmann’s Explorer burst into flames after the collision. When rescuers arrived at the scene, the intensity of the fire prevented them from reaching him.

Capen was treated for minor injuries to his arms and released from the hospital the same day.

After talking with witnesses and Beckmann’s friends and family, police have concluded Beckmann deliberately drove his Explorer into the truck.

According to Edes, Capen and three witnesses traveling in other vehicles said Beckmann veered from the southbound lane on a dry road under clear weather conditions and steered directly at the truck, while Capen tried to avoid the Explorer.

Capen was driving below the speed limit, headed uphill when the crash occurred.

“The only thing Mr. Capen could have done to avoid the crash was stay home that day,” said Edes.

Beckmann is survived by his ex-wife Terry, a son Andy, 17, and a daughter Sarah, 14.

Landis and Beckmann first met almost six years ago when Beckmann offered his services as a tennis teacher at Val Halla Golf Club, which is operated by the town of Cumberland.

Beckmann helped start a program that drew rave reviews from tennis players of all ages and skills, Landis said. To teach young players he had them hit large foam balls. With all students, he was a keen listener.

This spring, Landis anticipates the introduction of a tennis aerobics program Beckmann developed to help keep his favorite sport enjoyable for others.

Val Halla was not the only place Beckmann lent his skills and passions. He taught tennis to hundreds of students at North Yarmouth Memorial School and skiing at Lost Valley Ski Resort in Auburn and Sunday River in Bethel.

While staying active was always important to Beckmann, it was the advent of tennis season that stoked his energy level, Landis said.

“He would pop in at the end of ski season. We would always chat for at least half an hour,” Landis said.

“In the summertime, life was always fun for Tom,” added Landis, who said the teacher always delighted in the successes of students, especially ones who advanced through hard work.

In those spring discussions, however, Landis would also remind Beckmann to take his medication, though Landis only presumes it was for depression.

Landis also said Beckmann’s divorce two years still upset him, and winters could also darken his personality.

“This is a hard thing to wrestle with,” said Landis. That Beckmann may have committed suicide is not wholly a surprise to Landis, but the manner the state police concluded Beckmann used seems irrational and uncharacteristic of Beckmann, he said.

The findings by the State Police will be presented as a recommendation to the medical examiner, and the State Medical Examiner’s Office will make the final determination of the cause of death.

Despite the conflicts that may have tormented Beckmann, Landis is left with a more indelible image of his friend and colleague.

“Tom was a very caring person and had a passion for his sport.”

Cumberland resident Thomas Beckmann, 52, was killed Feb. 19 when his Ford Explorer collided with a truck driven by Frederick Capen, 37, of Lancaster, Mass. An investigation by the Maine State Police has determined Beckmann deliberately caused the crash by veering across two lanes of Route 26 in New Gloucester.