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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Troopers investigate possible suicide in case of man found dead after pickup crashes on I-90 in Spokane

Washington State troopers are investigating the circumstances surrounding a man who was found dead Monday night in his vehicle after causing a three-car collision on Interstate 90 near downtown Spokane.

A search warrant filed Wednesday in Spokane County Superior Court indicates the man was Gage Borgwardt, a 19-year-old college student from Rapid City, South Dakota. He was found in the backseat of his Chevrolet truck at about 7:30 p.m. Monday with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head.

A man with the same name was identified Thursday in a Rapid City obituary.

Before troopers and Spokane Fire Department firefighters found Borgwardt, however, troopers believe he was at fault for causing a three-vehicle collision near the Lincoln Street exit.

The warrant says the westbound truck hit a median jersey barrier and came to a rest in the left lane, where it was struck by two more vehicles. Several witnesses called to report the truck as it sat on the freeway, but they didn’t see the original collision, nor did they see anyone outside of the vehicle.

After searching the truck, investigators found a phone, several boxes of ammunition and a revolver in Borgwardt’s hand. He was taken to Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center where he was later pronounced dead.

Trooper Jeff Sevigney said Friday the investigation is not concluded.