Truckers aid police in stopping suicide on Michigan freeway

HUNTINGTON WOODS, Mich. - More than a dozen semitrailer trucks lined up beneath a Detroit-area freeway overpass to aid police trying to help a man contemplating suicide.

Michigan State police Lt. Michael Shaw said troopers received a call about the man standing on an overpass above Interstate 696 in Huntington Woods. As officers routed traffic away, they directed truckers to drive into positions to shorten the fall if the man jumped.

The first call to police came in a little before 1 a.m. on Tuesday, Fox 2 in Detroit reported.

Thirteen trucks lined the freeway as police dealt with the man. The incident lasted about four hours until he walked off to waiting officers and to seek medical help.

Shaw says troopers typically work with truckers during such incidents, but it's unusual to have so many involved. He adds there are "many other options out there aside from taking your own life."

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call (800) 273-8255 or send a text to 741-741