Man Jumps To Death From 118 Freeway Despite Police Negotiations

AGOURA HILLS, CA — A man jumped to his death off the Moorpark Freeway after hours of negotiation with authorities on Wednesday, according to the Ventura County Star.

Police responded to a report just before 5 p.m. of a man threatening to jump off the bridge leading from state Route 23 to southbound state Route 118, the Ronald Reagan Freeway, according to the Ventura County Sheriff's Office.

The man jumped around two hours later, according to the Ventura County Star.

The ramp was completely shut for around two hours, causing significant slowdowns in Moorpark. Streets beneath the bridge were also shut in both directions, according to the Ventura County Star.

Agoura Hills and Moorpark residents and elected officials closely watched the incident and took to social media to express their condolences.

Many community members noted this is not the first time someone has jumped from this highway bridge; a woman in 2021 took a fatal jump off the same bridge. The mother of a man who fatally jumped from the bridge in 2020 also noted the "overpass is known for suicides," according to the Ventura County Star.

Between 1994 and 2018, there were 11 suicides on on the bridge, according to the Ventura County Star.

If you or someone you know is feeling suicidal, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 for English and 1-888-628-9454; or visit their website. California provides a youth crisis line at 1-800-843-5200 and on their website. Visit the Los Angeles County Public Health Department's website for a more extensive list of support options.