EVANSTON — Investigators believe the 26-year-old Idaho man who was killed Wednesday morning when he was struck by a semi-truck, ran in front of the semi on purpose to kill himself. Wyoming Highway Patrol Lt. Matt Arnell said that although the investigation is still ongoing, it is being handled as a suicide.

Arnell said Kyle Waters was with his parents at the Hampton Inn in Evanston Wednesday morning after they checked in to the hotel at 7:30 a.m. Over a week ago, Waters had left a note for his parents, who live in Eagle, Idaho, telling them that he needed a break. Investigators believe Waters then spent a week or so in the Salt Lake and Ogden areas before calling his parents and telling them he was in Evanston and needed their help.

“He was suffering from some mental issues like schizophrenia, depression, along those lines,” Arnell said.

Around 9 a.m. Wednesday, Waters told his parents he needed something from the car, so he and his mother walked to the parking lot. Arnell said that’s when Waters took off, running away from his mom and toward the interstate. His mom started to chase him, Arnell said, and Waters ran up the hill to the interstate, crossing westbound lanes and stopping in the median.

“As a semi was approaching he ran out in front of it and laid down in front of the semi,” Arnell said.

Officials called an ambulance for Waters’ mother, who was in shock but, after checking on her, she was not transported by ambulance.

WHP Trooper Scott Neilson said there’s no reason to believe alcohol or drugs were a factor in the incident, and no one was arrested or cited.

Cade Jasperson of Afton was identified as the truck driver. He was driving a Maverik truck that struck Waters.

The incident occurred just before 9 a.m. Wednesday. WYDOT closed all eastbound lanes at 9:37 a.m., and reopened the interstate at 10:10 a.m.