Man in police chase falls from 101 Freeway overpass and is killed; lanes closed for hours
The southbound lanes of the 101 Freeway in Hollywood reopened Wednesday morning, hours after a man jumped or fell from an overpass into freeway traffic and was killed.
Authorities had closed the lanes at Santa Monica Boulevard for more than six hours.
LAPD officers were on patrol near Santa Monica Boulevard about 9:30 p.m. Tuesday when they spotted a man in the street, allegedly under the influence of alcohol, running in and out of traffic, Sgt. Mark Cohan told reporters at the scene.
“Officers attempted to stop him and then he ran and jumped off the bridge,” Cohan said.
It is not clear whether the man was killed in the fall from the Santa Monica Boulevard overpass or if he was struck by a vehicle. Investigators are looking into whether the officer’s actions prompted the man to jump or if his death was an accident, Cohan said.
Authorities have not identified the man. The section of the freeway was closed overnight as police investigated. All southbound lanes reopened shortly before 4 a.m. Wednesday.
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