Suicidal Driver Leads To Route 34 Shutdown In Oswego: Police

OSWEGO, IL — A driver was taken to an area hospital after his comments and actions led police to shut down a section of Route 34 on Wednesday morning, police said.

Police said an officer stopped a vehicle around 9:12 a.m. near Route 34 and Fifth Street. During the traffic stop, police said the driver made statements indicating he was suicidal and intended to "invoke the officer to use deadly force against him," police said.

Several officers responded to the area, and Route 34 was closed in both directions. On Facebook, Oswego police alerted residents that Route 34 was closed from Route 30 to Douglas Road for police activity. Drivers were urged to take other routes.

The officer who had initiated the traffic stop was able to engage the driver in conversation and de-escalate the situation, police said in a news release.

After speaking to the officer for around 10 minutes, the driver voluntarily got out of the car and was taken to an area hospital for evaluation.

No charges have been filed against the driver, and police are not identifying him.

Anyone who is struggling can get help by dialing 988 for the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.