Route 46 at River Drive

By Cecilia Levine From Daily Voice

A 22-year-old suicidal man was slapped with weapons charges after police say he survived a 50-foot fall from a Route 46 bridge early Friday morning, Nov. 14.

Elmwood Park police officers were tipped off to an abandoned vehicle on the Route 46 East overpass with the driver’s side door open and no occupants inside at approximately 2:30 a.m., Chief Michael Foligno said. Developing reports indicate the incident happened at the River Drive overpass.

When officers arrived, they found the unoccupied vehicle and began searching the area. A short time later, officers heard a grunting sound coming from the wooded area underneath the bridge, the chief said. There, officers discovered a 22-year-old man sitting up against a tree and determined he'd fell or had jumped off of the bridge nearly 40 or 50 feet, Foligno said.

When officers asked what happened, the man made “concerning statements such as ‘life happens’ and ‘depression,’” the chief said.

The Elmwood Park Fire Department responded and used a stokes basket stretcher to move the man to safety. He was treated on scene by Elmwood Park EMS and transported to St. Joseph’s University Medical Center in Paterson. Police said the extent of his injuries were unknown as of press time.

During the investigation, officers learned the man had a handgun and a Kabar-style knife, which were recovered and secured from inside the vehicle. Police said he appeared to be disoriented and possibly under the influence of alcohol or another substance.

The man was charged with weapons offenses.

If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, help is available 24/7 by calling or texting 988.