101 Freeway Reopens After Being Closed For 11 Hours In Hollywood For Police Activity
HOLLYWOOD (CBSLA) — The 101 Freeway was fully reopened after it was shut down in both directions at Hollywood Boulevard for about 11 hours Monday night into Tuesday morning due to police activity for a man threatening to jump off an overpass.
The closure began shortly after 11 p.m. Monday, according to Los Angeles Fire Department.
California Highway Patrol issued a SigAlert and shut down the freeway in both directions. The standoff then dragged on for hours into Tuesday morning. Sky2 showed traffic backed up for miles during the morning rush hour.
During the closure, northbound drivers were being taken off at Hollywood Boulevard, southbound drivers were being taken off at Sunset Boulevard.
Just before 10 a.m., the man was safely removed from the overpass and taken to the hospital where he underwent mental health evaluations. CHP confirmed to CBS2 that the freeway was reopened by 10:20 a.m.
Authorities said the man was under the influence of drugs and was having a mental health crisis.
Erin Ryan, who works with NAMI Westside Los Angeles, said crisis negotiators often work with people going through mental health crises by trying to understand what the person is going through and their vulnerabilities.
"I would venture to say that we have to show our appreciation so much more to our first responders, and our gratitude for them and their compassion and their ability to navigate these situations," she said.