Lewis & Clark County Sheriff Leo Dutton has identified Neil Ray Ouellette as the man who jumped from the Prospect bridge in Helena and died on Thursday.
Oullette, 50 years old, was from Butte. Dutton said in a news release on Saturday that Ouellette was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served several tours in Iraq.
Dutton said that the manner of death was suicide, and that Ouellette's family has been notified. He added: "Our sincere condolences to the family of this man who had served our country."
No other information has been released.
(OCTOBER 8, 2020) A man died after jumping from the Prospect Avenue overpass on I-15 in Helena on Thursday.
Authorities responded to the scene shortly after 9:10 a.m. Helena Police (HPD), Montana Highway Patrol and the Helena Fire Department all responded to the scene.
After the man jumped off the overpass, HPD believes he was hit by a vehicle.
The initial investigation by HPD appear to indicate the man jumped from the overpass with the intent to kill himself.
Lewis & Clark County Sheriff/Coroner Leo Dutton has confirmed the man died at the scene, and is currently conducting an investigation and alerting the family.
Officers are currently trying to gather information about the vehicle that hit the man after he jumped. At this time they have no information on the make, model, or color of the vehicle.
If you or a loved one are having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please reach out for help. The Montana Suicide Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255 or you can text “MT” to 741741. The free service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Click here for more information about resources available for suicide prevention.
