by Robin Kemp
An unidentified man is recovering in a local hospital after attempting suicide by leaping from the Jonesboro Road I-75 overpass and being hit by a car in northbound rush-hour traffic Aug. 19. Traffic was shut down for at least 20 minutes, according to the Clayton County Sheriff’s Department.
Morrow Police Chief James Callaway said the man, who is from out of town, survived. The driver also escaped injury.
“He jumped off the bridge and got hit by a car,” Callaway said. “He jumped before we arrived or else we would have negotiated with him.”
Callaway did not identify the man or his hometown, nor did he say where the man was taken. He did confirm that the man was “receiving mental health services.”
“He was conscious and alert upon our arrival and it’s my understanding that he’s going to make a full recovery, which is a miracle considering the height and rush hour traffic at 6 p.m.,” Callaway said.
If you are thinking about suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255, which has both English- and Spanish-speaking operators.
