For Third Time in a Week, Authorities Faced Specter of Suicide at Colorado Street Bridge Over Weekend

A suicidal Pasadena woman who had been arguing with her husband threatened to jump from the Colorado Street Bridge for over two hours Saturday night before police crisis negotiators were able to convince her to climb back to safety.

Earlier last week, the bridge was the scene of two other incidents. In one, on Tuesday, February 28, another young woman was talked out of jumping. Then on Thursday in yet another separate incident still under investigation, the body of a young woman who had died as the result of an apparent suicide fall was found in the Arroyo beneath the bridge.

Pasadena Police Lt. Mark Goodman said Saturday’s incident began about 10:17 p.m. when authorities were called to the scene of the argument in the 700 block of South Raymond Avenue.

During the altercation the victim was reportedly suicidal. She left the scene and managed to arrive at the bridge before authorities, who believed it to be her destination.

Pasadena Fire Dept. units were also called to assist at 10:26 p.m. and staged in the Elks Lodge parking lot, according a witness.

“Officers responded, talked with the victim and after about two hours were able to convince her to come back over to safety,” Goodman said.

She was transported to a local psychiatric care facility.

The Bridge is infamous for its unintended role in suicides, however City of Pasadena Public Health Director Michael Johnson recently said that only 15 percent of Pasadena suicides occur at the Bridge.

“We have a challenge that’s much broader than the Colorado Bridge.” Johnson said. “Prevention is really the issue here.”

[Editor’s Note: A reader’s message led to a major correction in this story, which originally said that only two incidents occurred on the Colorado Street Bridge.  Our thanks to A.F. for reminding us of the successful intervention last Tuesday.]