NEW GLOUCESTER – The man who died in a crash on Route 26 Tuesday morning may have intentionally steered his SUV into the path of an oncoming truck, police said Wednesday.

The victim was identified as 53-year-old Thomas Beckmann of Cumberland, after an autopsy at the State Medical Examiner’s Office.

Beckmann burned to death Tuesday morning after his vehicle collided nearly head-on with a box truck, police said.

His southbound Ford Explorer crossed the centerline and struck the truck about 9:30 a.m. Tuesday roughly a mile from the Gray line. The driver of the truck, Frederick L. Capen of Lancaster, Mass., tried to avoid the collision, police said.

Capen scraped his knee and sprained a thumb, and was taken to Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston, where he was treated and released, according to a hospital spokeswoman.

State police Sgt. Michael Edes tried but failed to put out the blaze in the SUV by emptying two fire extinguishers from his cruiser into the flames, police said. Edes used a third fire extinguisher given to him later, but still was unable to rescue the driver from the blaze that eventually burned itself out.

Police did not say why they believe Beckmann intentionally crashed his SUV. The wreck remained under investigation.

“Investigators will compile the information they have gathered from family members, friends and witnesses and consult with the Medical Examiner’s Office before reaching a final conclusion,” said Maine Department of Public Safety spokesman Stephen McCausland.