Towson Grad Killed By Overpass Jumper: Report

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — A recent Towson University graduate was killed Saturday when a 12-year-old boy jumped from a Virginia overpass and landed on her vehicle. Police said that Marisa Harris, 22, of Olney, was driving her 2005 Ford Escape east on Interstate 66 when the boy fell onto the SUV at about 4:18 p.m.

Harris's 23-year-old boyfriend, who was in the passenger seat, sustained no injuries and steered the car to the side of the road after the incident.

The boy was taken to Inova Fairfax Hospital with life-threatening injuries, according to Virginia State Police. His fall was a suicide attempt, according to The Washington Post, which reported that Harris died on impact.

Harris graduated from Towson University in May after studying psychology. She was serious about her studies, a Towson professor told ABC 2 News.

Driver Dead After Boy Attempts Suicide

Marisa Harris's mother, Leigh Miller, told NBC Washington that Harris was attending Marymount University in Arlington as a graduate student in clinical counseling and could have helped the boy if given the chance.

Her father, Patrick Harris, noted the coincidence as well.

“That’s the irony that we’re at looking at right now,” Patrick Harris told the Post, referring to the fact that children with mental issues were exactly the type of people Marisa wanted to help.

“She was loved by her friends," he said. "She was dearly loved by her family; she was admired by her peers; she was just a shining star.”

Help for Those Considering Suicide

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, there are resources to help.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24 hours a day at 1-800-SUICIDE (or 1-800-784-2433). Its website offers services including a live chat.

Also check out resources available around Maryland to help those who are in crisis.

— By Patch editors Geoff Dempsey and Elizabeth Janney

Article image via Shutterstock