DPS NEWS

Details on the Pedestrian Incident on I-80 at MM 119 this Morning.

At about 1028 hours, on May 5th, 2021, at MM 119 on Interstate 80, a Trooper and their field training officer (FTO) were dispatched to a male adult pedestrian walking on the shoulder against traffic on I-80 eastbound just prior to the ramp for northbound I-15. When making their initial contact with the pedestrian, the pedestrian threatened them with a rock. A short time later, during their interaction, the pedestrian threw a rock that hit a trooper but the rock did not cause an injury. The pedestrian began picking up other items, to include what the Troopers identified as a metal pipe but was later found to be plastic, and an irrigation box lid.  The pedestrian ran across the eastbound travel lanes and climbed up on the median wall that is elevated approximately five feet. Troopers shut down both eastbound and westbound traffic on I-80.  A Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) trained Trooper attempted to talk the individual down off the wall without success.  The pedestrian began swinging the hard plastic Irrigation box lid and was swinging it towards the approximately six or seven troopers that were now around him.  Troopers were able to distract him and physically remove him off the wall and take him into custody with a minimal amount of force.  During the exchange, the pedestrian attempted to disarm two Troopers and verbalized suicidal threats. A taser was drawn and displayed by at least one Trooper during the incident, however they did not deploy the taser on the pedestrian.  The pedestrian was checked by medical personnel before being transported to the jail.  The SBI community outreach team has been mobilized to communicate with this individual and assist with providing mental health resources.