SPOKANE COUNTY, WA — A man is dead following an incident on the evening of July 1 in which he exited a moving bus on E. Palouse Highway, according to the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies responded around 7:30 p.m. to a report of an injured man lying in the roadway near the intersection of E. Palouse Highway and S. Stevens Creek Road. Witnesses told investigators the man had exited a private or business-related bus without warning while it was in motion traveling eastbound.

Several bystanders immediately began performing CPR until Spokane County Fire District 8 personnel arrived and took over. Despite these life-saving efforts, the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

The sheriff’s office stated that while it does not typically release information involving suicide-related deaths, they chose to do so in this case to dispel growing online speculation and address media inquiries.

Authorities are encouraging anyone experiencing thoughts of suicide to seek support. The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 by calling, texting, or chatting at 988lifeline.org. Specialized support is also available for veterans, Spanish speakers, LGBTQIA2S+ youth, and Native communities.

For more information on suicide prevention resources, visit the Washington State Department of Health’s website: doh.wa.gov.