Man jumps to death from bridge between Kittanning, Ford City

MANOR TOWNSHIP — State police and the Armstrong County Coroner's Office are trying to understand why a man jumped to his death on Monday from an exit ramp of the Judge Frank Graff Bridge.

Russell P. Pickett, age unknown, of 1780 Philadelphia St., White Township, Indiana County, stopped his blue Chevy Cavalier along the ramp leading from the bridge, which carries Routes 422 and 28 across the Allegheny River, to Route 66 South at the end of the construction zone and stood at the edge of the concrete barrier for a short period of time prior to jumping, police said.

"At first, passers-by believed he was part of the construction crews working on the bridge, but then we got a report that the man was not wearing shoes," said Trooper John Corna. "We dispatched troopers to the scene and just as they pulled in and went to talk to the male, he jumped over the side."

Fire and ambulance crews were called to the scene at about 1:30 p.m. to assist with the recovery of Pickett's body as it was not immediately clear where he landed after plummeting an estimated 180 feet to 200 feet from the bridge deck.

Crews found Pickett's body a few minutes later in a grassy area next to an access road under the bridge about 40 feet from the edge of Garretts Run Road. The site is about 100 yards back Garretts Run Road from Hill Street, just before Bishop Hill Road.

Investigators say Pickett's car and a pair of neatly placed sandals, believed to be his, were found at the spot where he jumped. The spot is at the end of a six-foot high safety fence along the bridge, used to prevent debris from falling onto the road and homes below.

Several employees of the construction crews arrived at the scene below the bridge to find out what had happened and to report that their employees were accounted for. Police said Pickett was not employed by or associated with the construction crews.

Armstrong County Coroner Robert Bower said that deputy coroners from his office handled the investigation and that no specific reason was available for Pickett's decision to jump from the bridge.

"The deputies learned that he had a history of suicidal ideations, but it is not known what prompted Monday's actions," he said. "His vehicle was found at the scene, but there was no information, such as a note, that explained why he chose to commit suicide."