Sun Metro bus runs over Juarez man; police call it a suicide

UPDATE: A 79-year-old man from Ciudad Juarez was killed after being run over by a Sun Metro bus near downtown El Paso Wednesday in what police are now calling a suicide.

Authorities said the Mexican man was lying underneath the bus around 6 a.m. when it moved and crushed his torso; the driver apparently had no idea there was someone beneath the vehicle as he started to pull out.

"Investigators met with witnesses and relatives of the man and the preliminary investigation has revealed this death is a suicide," said EPPD Sgt. Javier Sambrano.

The victim's name was not released by authorities.

ORIGINAL REPORT: EL PASO, Texas -- A Sun Metro bus struck a pedestrian in El Paso's Chihuahuita area just south of downtown on Wednesday morning in what authorities confirmed to ABC-7 was a fatality.

Police traffic investigators were summoned to the scene at 601 S. Santa Fe Street about 6:50 a.m. where an ABC-7 crew observed officers covering a body.

A police spokesman said they anticipated releasing further details about the deadly incident sometime late Wednesday afternoon.

Sun Metro Managing Director Ellen Smyth issued the following statement to ABC-7:

“I was deeply saddened by the event from this morning. These are those heart wrenching calls that as a leader you never want to receive. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of everyone involved. Our staff is fully cooperating and supporting El Paso Police on this matter. We will be conducting our own internal review as we do with all serious incidents.”

Sun Metro indicated that all routes with stops at the Downtown Transit Center experienced delays on Wednesday morning due to the deadly incident.