Tulsa Police: Standoff On BA Expressway Bridge Ends Peacefully

The Broken Arrow Expressway was closed near Peoria as Tulsa police responded to a man standing on the bridge crossing the highway. Both westbound and eastbound lanes of the BA were closed since around 9 a.m.

As of about 1:30 p.m., the man has left the bridge peacefully and will be checked out at the hospital.

He was identified as a 53-year-old man who had just been released from jail at 7:30 a.m. He was arrested Friday night for public intoxication, records show.

Authorities got a call about the man standing on the outside ledge of the overpass around 8:30 a.m., according to Officer Leland Ashley. Ashley said the experience was frustrating for authorities and drivers - but the good news is that it ended peacefully.

Police negotiated with the man for about five hours.

The man appeared to be very agitated, moving around the outside railing of the bridge. Ashley said the man didn't specifically talk about jumping from the bridge, but they took things slowly to avoid any tragedy.

"He might be suffering from mental illness, and there's a possibility there might be some drugs and alcohol involved as well," Ashley said.

The officer said he asked the public to be mindful of the situation and realize police were trying to treat the man as they would anyone's loved one.

All westbound traffic on the BA Expressway was diverted at Utica and all eastbound traffic at Highway 75 northbound. Peoria was closed between around 12th and 15th Streets.

The Red Cross provided fluids to police at the scene.