Authorities have identified a man found dead near a bridge off Mansfield Road on Friday, said Caddo Sheriff Steve Prator.

The body of Russell "Rusty" Carter Smith Jr., 51, was discovered after being spotted by a student who was a passenger on a school bus traveling down Mansfield Road.

Smith's 2004 Chevy Impala was towed by authorities on January 2 after it was stuck in the mud just off the roadway. His family claimed the car days later from Reynold's Wrecker Service but did not file a missing persons report. They said it was not uncommon for Smith to take off for periods of time without notice.

Sheriff's Detective Donnie Laney said an official cause of death has not yet been determined; however, foul play was not immediately suspected.