Westbound traffic on the 120 Bypass at Union Road was halted just east of the overpass on Monday night after Manteca Police received a report of a potentially suicidal person sitting on the edge over the busy freeway.

According to Manteca Police, several calls were made reporting the male subject sitting with his legs dangling over the edge of the overpass – prompting Manteca Police to respond and assess the situation.

When officers made contact with the subject they determined that the adult male appeared to be in crisis. The California Highway patrol was contacted for assistance with controlling traffic as Manteca Police Officers began communicating with the subject – blocking westbound traffic on Highway 120 and halting motorists across the under-construction Union Road overpass while negotiations between police and the subject were underway.

After a period of time the man willingly came down from the railing and was safely detained.

“In situations such as these, the goal is to ensure the safety of the individual as well as the community as a whole,” the statement released by the Manteca Police Department read. “The subject was transported to a medical facility for treatment and evaluation.

“As he was not arrested, no other information will be released.”

Traffic over the Union Road overpass was also halted while police were talking with the man, and all roadways were eventually opened up to traffic – which had accumulated along the busy Highway 120 corridor due to the westbound traffic diversion.

While the situation was resolved safely, it was reminiscent of a similar scenario on Highway 99 last year in Modesto when a man scaled a fence on an overpass near Downtown Modesto and threatened to jump onto the busy freeway below. Police from multiple agencies were eventually able to convince that man to come down, but not before traffic was backed up to nearly Turlock and Ripon in both directions.

To contact reporter Jason Campbell email jcampbell@mantecabulletin.com or call 209.249.3544.