The scene on the eastbound lanes of Interstate 20 in Vicksburg could not have been more tragic or sad Wednesday afternoon.

A man, not yet 30, made a decision to end his life. And, in the process, placed countless others at risk, as he jumped from an overpass onto the interstate and oncoming traffic.

Those who were witnesses Wednesday, as 29-year-old Jefferey Casper killed himself, said cars and trucks swerved out of the way to avoid his nearly lifeless body on the highway, they themselves coming close to causing accidents.

Thankfully, no one else was hurt, no other lives shattered.

A resident of LoLo, Mont., Casper was by all accounts a good man, someone who liked to travel and would find work in construction in the areas he would choose to live for a while.

His family loved him and today, they are mourning the loss of a son.

No one knows what led Casper to make the decision to end his life in such dramatic fashion.

No one knows what demons were chasing him, what circumstances weighed upon him.

Our Vicksburg emergency responders did all they could to save his life, quickly transporting Casper to Merit Health River Region, only to learn their efforts were not enough.

Vicksburg police and state troopers managed traffic along the busy interstate, giving investigators and medical crews the space they needed to work the scene.

As a family in Montana searches for answers, we take time to pray for them, pray for their beloved Jeffery and offer our prayers up for the men and women who worked so hard to save Casper’s life.