NORTH CANTON, Ohio — James Mashburn was driving a pick-up truck northbound on I-77 in Green after midnight Tuesday when he struck a disabled tractor-trailer in the right lane, according to the Summit County Sheriff's office. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to Stow-Munroe Falls City Schools, Mashburn was a high school intervention specialist and a football coach for Green Local Schools.
“Jimmy was a cherished member of the Bulldog Community and also a beloved football coach for Green Local Schools. His passion for mentoring students went far beyond the classroom, leaving a lasting impact on students, players, colleagues, and all who knew him,” said Amanda Murray, principal of Stow-Munroe Falls High School.
On Wednesday night, friends gathered at the "Codex Brewery" in North Canton to remember a man who had been inspired both on and off the field.
“He loved teaching and he loved coaching, and that's what he talked about all the time." said a friend of Mashburn. "He was a big man with a big heart, and he just loved kids. There's a lot of kids [that are] going to be missing him.”
Before he worked in the schools, Mashburnb was a server at "Forever Craft Urban Winery." former workers there shared their memories of Mashburn.
"It was a lot my first day, and I felt so bad because I couldn't open wine bottles," said a former employee and friend of Mashburn. "And every time I'd be like, 'Jimmy?' He's like, 'I got you. I got you.' He just kept opening wine bottles. I'm like, 'Oh, thank goodness.' I mean, he was the best.”
Melissa Smith told News 5 that Mashburn was the first employee she hired at the winery when he was a teenager. She said Mashburn and her son were very close and coached football together at Green.
“I mean, just lit up the room wherever he was," said Smith. "And even just with all of this, to realize how many people knew him, he just really touched a lot of people,”
Jeff Miller, the Superintendent of Green Local Schools, shared in a statement how much of an impact Mashburn had on their students.
"Mashburn inspired athletic excellence in our students, but more importantly, resilience, the value of hard work, what it means to be a person of character and the value of teamwork," she said.
Amanda Murray, the principal of Stow Munroe-Falls local schools, wrote, "Mashburn was a dedicated intervention specialist. His passion for mentoring students went far beyond the classroom, leaving a lasting impact on students, players, colleagues, and all who knew him.”
The district said the Stow-Munroe Falls City School District Crisis Response Team will have trained counselors for high school students and staff for the remainder of the week.
“Our thoughts, prayers, and deepest sympathies are with the Mashburn family, his friends, students, colleagues, players past and present, and everyone in the Bulldog and Green Local Schools communities. Together, we will navigate this loss with the strength and compassion that defines our community,” said Dr. Felisha Gould, Superintendent of Stow-Munroe Falls City Schools.
Green Local Schools released the following statement:
"In the wake of Coach Mashburn's heartbreaking loss, we as a community are grappling with deep sorrow. Jimmy’s unwavering dedication transcended the football field, inspiring not just athletic excellence in our students but, more importantly, resilience, the value of hard work, what it means to be a person of character, and the value of teamwork. We honor his profound impact on our lives as we remember him, knowing that his lessons and memory will live on."
It's still unclear what caused the crash that killed Mashburn. The Summit County Coroner and the Summit County Sheriff are investigating.
