A former Long Island high school volleyball coach accused of raping a teen player took his own life Friday, March 22, when he stepped in front of a moving Long Island Rail Road train just hours after the disturbing allegations came to light.
Jason Maser, 22, was fatally hit by a train around 10:35 p.m. near the Syosset station after he “intentionally” walked onto the tracks at the Woodbury Road crossing, MTA Police Department spokesperson Michael Cortez said in a statement.
He was pronounced dead at the scene and it was determined that he left a suicide note behind, Cortez said.
His death comes as he was facing charges of third-degree rape and criminal sex act, Newsday reported.
The former part-time coach at Sacred Heart Academy allegedly raped a 15-year-old girl at least twice while inside his Jeep on Feb. 7 and March 7, police and a criminal complaint reportedly alleged.
He was arraigned Friday morning as news broke about the sickening accusations against him and was later released on $75,000 bail, Newsday reported.
Maser’s lawyer, John Carman, told Newsday over the weekend Maser’s family was “devastated.”
“While they process what has occurred, they are concerned for the young woman involved,” he said.
Maser also previously coached at B&B Volleyball Club where the victim played as well, CBS 2 reported. The club cut ties with him when the organization became aware of the allegations.
Sacred Heart Academy, located in Hempstead, said in a statement following the charges that it also cut off Maser’s access to its facilities after it became aware of the alleged crimes, according to News 12.
“Sacred Heart Academy is firmly committed to our students’ safety and well-being,” the private Catholic school said. “When Sacred Heart learned of the situation involving Jason Maser, Sacred Heart notified the appropriate authorities and offered all available resources to the family.”
