Woman dies in jump from Highway 101 overpass, CHP says
Editor’s note: This story mentions suicide.
Several lanes of Highway 101 in northern San Luis Obispo County were briefly closed Wednesday afternoon after a woman fatally jumped from a nearby overpass, according to the California Highway Patrol.
According to CHP’s traffic incident report page, at around 11:35 a.m., a traffic hazard was reported between the No. 1 and No. 2 northbound lanes of Highway 101 north of Atascadero, slowing traffic.
By 11:40 a.m., northbound traffic was stopped near the Del Rio Road overpass, which was used to divert traffic around the area.
According to CHP spokesman Pat Seebart, a woman died jumping from the overpass onto the northbound lanes of the highway. The incident was believed to be a suicide, and was being investigated by the Atascadero Police Department, Seebart said.
The identity of the woman is being withheld at this time, pending notification of next of kin, the Atascadero Police Department said in a news release.
By 12:45 p.m. all lanes had reopened, Seebart said. By 1:04 p.m., northbound Highway 101 traffic appeared to be flowing normally through the affected area.
If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a hotline for individuals in crisis or for those looking to help someone else.
To speak with a certified listener, call 988. You can also call the Central Coast Hotline at 800-783-0607 for 24-7 assistance. To learn the warning signs of suicide, visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org
