'I can't take this anymore': Driver's last words before jumping off 288 bridge after crash

GOOCHLAND — Virginia State Police have released a few more details, including a partial identity, in the case of the man who jumped to his death after a car wreck on the bridge that carries state Route 288 over the James River.

State Police Sgt. Jessica Shehan said the family had asked that the man's name not be divulged. He has been identified only as a 40-year-old man from Richmond.

The incident happened around 1:45 p.m. Tuesday, according to state police reports. The man was driving a minivan that struck a pick-up truck in the northbound right lane of the bridge.

"After the crash, he, according to witnesses, got out of his vehicle and made a statement to the effect of, 'I can't take this anymore,' and then jumped off the bridge," Shehan said. Witnesses told state police they saw the man hit the river and appeared to have trouble swimming. He eventually vanished under the water.

More: Driver wrecks car on Route 288 bridge, then jumps to his death into the James River

The state police MedFlight helicopter and deputies from Goochland County were called to assist with a search for the driver, Shehan said. About 45 minutes after he jumped, the man's body was recovered.

The driver of the pick-up truck struck by the minivan remained on scene until authorities arrived, Shehan said. He was not injured and was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.

Shehan said investigations into the wreck and the driver's suicide a ongoing.

The bridge over the river links Goochland with Powhatan County, about 35 miles north of the Tri-City area.

Bill Atkinson (he/him/his) is daily news coach for USA TODAY's Southeast Region-Unified Central, which includes Virginia, West Virginia and central North Carolina. He is based in Petersburg, Virginia. Reach him at batkinson@progress-index.com.

This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Virginia State Police release more details on driver jumping off bridge