A man charged in an early morning Thanksgiving Day crash in which a Brooklyn man was killed was employed as an English and theater teacher at a Montgomery County, Maryland, high school, media outlets there report.

Washington, D.C., radio station WTOP reported Nicholas Saadipour was placed on leave from his job at Quince Orchard High School in Gaithersburg.

In a letter which WTOP and other area media published the school’s principal, Elizabeth Thomas, wrote to students, staff and parents, “I am writing to provide information about a serious incident involving a staff member at Quince Orchard High School. Mr. Nicholas Saadipour, an English and Theatre teacher at our school was involved in a serious car accident in North Carolina on Friday, November 23, 2018. (The crash occurred Thursday morning). Mr. Saadipour is OK, however, another person involved in the accident has died and others are seriously injured.”

The letter continues, “Our thoughts are with Mr. Saadipour and all of those impacted by this tragedy. Police have indicated Mr. Saadipour may have significant responsibility for the accident. He will be on leave while he addresses this serious matter. High quality substitutes are being identified to ensure students continue learning during his absence.”

The letter said school counselors and psychologists would be available “to support our students and staff in the wake of this news.”

Trooper J.T. Keeter of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol said Thursday night Sandy Griffin, a 59-year-old man who maintains residences in Brooklyn, New York, and Rocky Point in North Carolina, died after he swerved to miss a disabled vehicle which was in the southbound lane of Interstate 95 at the 176 mile marker in the Gaston area shortly before 1 a.m..

The man driving the vehicle which was in the roadway had crashed when his 2016 Honda Civic ran off the roadway to the left and struck a guardrail. While the Civic sustained heavy front end damage, the driver, Saadipour, 34, was able to get the vehicle back on the roadway.

Keeter said it appeared Griffin did not see the dark blue Honda until the last minute.

When Griffin swerved to miss the Honda he ran off the road to the right in a 2001 Ford Explorer and overturned. Griffin, who was wearing a seat belt, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Three other passengers in the vehicle with Griffin escaped serious injury.

Keeter consulted with District Attorney Valerie Asbell and the following charges were filed against Saadipour: DWI, fail to maintain lane control, open container, careless and reckless driving and felony death by motor vehicle.

Saadipour has a January 19 Northampton County District Court date pending.