An Augusta County man died Tuesday morning after he jumped from a bridge on Interstate 81 in Rockbridge County following a police chase, authorities said.

According to Sheriff R.W. Day, a deputy noticed a vehicle stopped about 8:30 a.m. in the northbound lane of U.S. 11 between Fancy Hill and Natural Bridge. The car, a 1994 Nissan, occupied by a lone male, switched into the southbound lane when the deputy approached. The driver of the Nissan ignored the patrol car's police lights and fled at speeds approaching 75 mph.

Day said the Nissan got onto northbound Interstate 81 at mile marker 176, where the chase -- by then exceeding 100 mph -- was joined by Virginia State Police and numerous officials from Rockbridge County.

Deputies near the U.S. 60 interchange used "stop sticks" to blow out the tires on the Nissan.

Once the Nissan was disabled, Day said, the driver pulled the car onto the emergency shoulder on the Maury River bridge. He got out, ran to the railing and jumped over the side.

According to Day, the man fell approximately 54 feet, landed on his back and was pronounced dead at the scene about 8:40 a.m.

Friends of the driver interviewed by Rockbridge County deputies said the man, who was 47 years old, had visited them and told them he was terminally ill and intended to commit suicide. Day said a suicide note was found in the car.

The identity of the driver is being withheld until police can notify his family.

Day said the man's body has been sent to the Roanoke medical examiner's office and the incident remains under investigation.