The Ypsilanti Courier
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Area man sets himself on fire, jumps onto US-23
PUBLISHED: March 20, 2008
A 38-year-old Ypsilanti resident attempted to commit suicide last week by setting himself on fire and jumping from an overpass in Ann Arbor Township according to Michigan State Police Trooper Josh Reeber.
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At approximately 12:40 p.m. on March 10, a driver in a car reported that the man stood on the overpass of Plymouth Road and jumped into the right lane of north bound US-23 after removing most of his clothes and lighting himself on fire.
"We found a tree by the embankment where he took off his clothes," Reeber said. "He took gas and oil and went about 20 feet walking along the overpass. He must have jumped about 15 feet onto the road."
The trooper said the man's identity could not be released pending notification of the family. He was conscious and alert when medical help arrived but was moaning in pain.
Reeber said the person had had mental health issues in the past. A motorist stopped his car and used a fire extinguisher to put out the flames.
The subject received a closed fracture in one leg and an open fracture in the other leg. He was transported to the University of Michigan Hospital with extensive burns and ???.
"Everyone who was working (Huron Valley Ambulance, Ann Arbor Police Department, Ann Arbor Township Fire Department, and Washtenaw County Sheriff Department) did a great job of working together," he said. "This is the first time (in his four years) I have seen something like this. It happens more in Wayne County with people jumping off overpasses but usually the person is facing the road."
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