Officers Save Suicidal Man on Eaton Overpass
08.25.2026 "Media Release" - Chico Police Department
By: Will Sheffield
Around 4:20pm on August 25, 2026, the Chico Police Department received several 9-1-1 calls from witnesses reporting a man on the Eaton overpass at Highway 99, making statements that he wanted to jump.
One of the first Officers on scene, Nicolo DiStefano, is a trained Crisis Negotiator. Officer DiStefano was able to make verbal contact with the man and convinced him to abandon his position on the fence. Within 2 minutes of arrival, he was safely detained by Officers. He has been transported to Enloe for further evaluation and resources.
During the incident, Highway 99 and the Eaton Rd. overpass were temporarily closed in all directions, causing traffic impacts in the surrounding area for around 20 minutes. We are grateful to the observant witnesses who immediately called to report the incident and to those who stopped to offer assistance before officers arrived.
We also commend our officers for their swift response, professionalism, and calm decision-making under extremely difficult circumstances. Their actions helped bring a dangerous situation to a safe resolution and, ultimately, prevented a tragedy.
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