Virginia State Police are investigating what they call a suicide attempt by a 12-year-old boy who jumped from a interstate overpass, killing a driver below on I-66.
The driver was 22-year-old Marisa Harris of Olney, Maryland. Harris was a graduate student at Marymount University who wanted to help kids combating depression.
Harris graduated summa cum laude from Towson before beginning her graduate program at Marymount University where she studied Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
Harris' mom called it "ironic" saying the 12-year-old boy who killed her is a kid she would've helped.
Mom sent this photo of 22yo Marisa Harris. Says Harris was in Marymount U's grad program & wanted to help kids like the 12yo involved @wusa9 pic.twitter.com/CNW7cO08Mv
— Stephanie Ramirez (@RamirezReports) October 29, 2017
Just heartbreaking. I talked to mom, who was incredibly kind. Told me Marisa wanted to help kids like this 12yo. https://t.co/4ykXu92oiQ
— Stephanie Ramirez (@RamirezReports) October 29, 2017
The strange and tragic death is being called a "cruel irony" by a recent graduate of the same Marymount program. Sarah Moore, M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling said "so many people in our community are dedicated to helping teens in his very situation. It's just a tragedy for everyone around."
According to police, Harris was driving her 2005 Ford Escape, traveling east on I-66, when the boy jumped from the Cedar Lane overpass in the Vienna area of Fairfax County. The impact immediately incapacitated her. Harris' family said her boyfriend, who was in the passenger's seat, took control of the car and steered it off of the interstate.
Police responded to the accident at 4:18 p.m. on Saturday, October 28. Harris was pronounced dead at the scene. Her boyfriend was not injured.
Police transported the 12-year-old boy to Fairfax Inova Hospital with life-threatening injuries.
The crash is still under investigation. State Police say they will be providing no further details at this time.
