PORTLAND — Police on Thursday, May 21, said they tried to stop a speeding motorcyclist on Brighton Avenue shortly before a fatal crash around 1:40 a.m.

Lt. Clifford Strout said one cause of the crash that killed John H. Fontaine, 38, appears to be excessive speed, although Fontaine was not identified by police as the speeder they saw earlier in the evening.

The 2003 Harley Davidson Fontaine was driving crossed the center line, struck a tree and caught fire near the intersection of Stevens and Brighton avenues. Fontaine was not wearing a helmet.

Strout said police earlier observed a motorcyclist “traveling at a very high rate of speed inbound on Brighton Avenue near the intersection of Warwick Street.” An officer attempted to stop the ride, but lost sight of the motorcycle near Rosemont Corner, at the intersection of Brighton Avenue, Woodford Street, and Colonial and Columbia roads.