Central Coast Bridge Leaper Grabbed, Dec. 29

News release from the Newport PD. The Newport Police Department received a call from a passing motorist that there was a subject at about mid-span on the Yaquina Bay Bridge. He was reportedly sitting on the rail. When officers arrived, they found a male on the west side of the bridge, at the south end of the main span, and standing on the outside of the railing. He also had a knife to his throat. Arriving officers shut down both lanes of travel on the bridge, and notified ODOT along with the Coast Guard and Newport Fire. Officers attempted to negotiate with the subject, but he was uncooperative. He would climb back to the road side of the railing, then climb back to the outside of the railing. At one point, officers were able to distract him while he was on the road side of the railing. The officers rushed him just as he tried to leap over the railing. They were able to control him, although he struggled to get away. Ofcr. Mitchell sustained a minor injury to his hand. Winslow was not injured. Winslow was taken into custody without any further incident. He was taken to Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital for evaluation. Criminal charges are pending. The bridge was reopened after being closed for about 35 minutes. Officers were assisted at the scene by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and the Newport Fire Department.