Sheriff's Officials Talk Suicidal Man Down From Freeway Overpass

Two off-duty sheriff's officials were able to talk a Wildomar man out of jumping off the Interstate 15/Bundy Canyon Road overpass today.

The 43-year-old Wildomar man called California Highway Patrol at about 12:17 p.m. Friday, advising that he was going to commit suicide by jumping from the overpass in Wildomar, according to a news release.

Sheriff's deputies said the was man pacing back and forth and at times hanging over the overpass, said Courtney Donowho, a Riverside County Sheriff's Department spokeswoman.

The man refused to talk to deputies who showed up in uniform, but would talk to two off-duty Riverside County Sheriff's personnel, Donowho said.

After about 45 minutes, Investigator Vance Velardes and Cpl. Scott Spykstra were able to talk the man down. He was taken into custody to be sent for medical evalutation, Donowho said.

The suicide attempt forced California Highway Patrol to close down a section of northbound Interstate 15 near Bundy Canyon Road, causing traffic to back up to Murrieta and Temecula Friday afternoon.

The incident was cleared by about 1 p.m. Friday.

The Wildomar Police Department is seeking assistance in locating four tractor-trailer drivers who assisted the on-scene commander by positioning their vehicles under the overpass in an attempt to lessen the distance of the man's fall, said Sgt. Peter Giannakakos, in a news release.

Anyone having information regarding these drivers is encouraged to contact the Wildomar Police Department at 951-245-3300. The Wildomar Police Department would like to locate these individuals and recognize them for their support and help.

Editor's Note: The subject's name has been removed from this article to protect his identity.