A distraught man ventured to the edge of an elevated stretch of Interstate 5 near Mission Valley Wednesday and remained perched there for nearly three hours before surrendering, forcing a northbound freeway closure that snarled traffic for miles during the lead-up to the Fourth of July weekend.
The unidentified pedestrian appeared at the eastern side of the regional freeway just south of Interstate 8 about 10 a.m., according to the California Highway Patrol.
Authorities shut down the entire northbound side of I-5 in the area while police tried to talk the man off the bridge. Soon, vehicles were at a standstill for miles to the south. the CHP reported.
As the standoff continued through the late morning, the CHP began diverting northbound traffic onto Pacific Highway and closed I-5 onramps in Middletown, Mission Hills and Old Town.
Wow. Major traffic problems nortbound I-5 as negotiators try to talk distraught man from jumping from overpass at Old Town in San Diego. CHP rerouting traffic on to Pacific Highway and other alternative routes. pic.twitter.com/KNJVRAzc6k
— John Gibbins (@JohnGibbinsSDUT) July 3, 2019
Trolley service also was suspended between Washington Street and Old Town. Metropolitan Transit System officials offered affected commuters bus rides between the two light-rail stations pending resolution of the police activity on I-5.
As of midday, northbound traffic on the partially closed freeway was in a state of gridlock as far south as state Route 163 in the Balboa Park area, said CHP public-affairs Officer Tommy Doerr. The southbound side of I-5 was more congested than usual as well, apparently due to spectator slowing.
About 12:45 p.m., the apparently suicidal man climbed off the edge of the interstate onto an ice plant-covered slope and was taken into custody for a psychological evaluation, said SDPD Sgt. Michael Stirk. The Highway Patrol then began reopening the freeway in the area.
Updated at 2:50 p.m. July 3, 2019
— City News Service
