Freshman falls from Loop 340

By Paula Ann Solis
Staff Writer

A Baylor freshman was in stable condition Monday after falling from Texas State Highway Loop 340 bridge onto the highway median of Interstate 35.

Lt. Tracy O’Connor, the Robinson Police Department spokesman, said a passing motorist called Robinson police at 7:22 a.m., alerting them of a stalled vehicle with emergency lights flashing on Loop 340 near Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center. Police arrived at 7:25 a.m. and a man’s body was found below the bridge near where the vehicle was stalled.

The man, who fell 20 to 30 feet from the bridge, was unresponsive but still breathing when the East Texas Medical Center ambulance service reached him, O’Connor said.

Whether the vehicle was stalled because of mechanical issues has not been determined. O’Connor said the vehicle belongs to a relative of the man who fell from the bridge.

The detective unit for Robinson police is continuing to investigate the cause of the man’s fall, O’Connor said. Department of Public Safety troopers were on the scene assisting with traffic direction while Robinson police investigated the area.

Hospital staff said the man is in the surgical intensive care unit.