I-4 through Osceola also closed Monday due to fatal hit and run of Kissimmee man
John Young Parkway in the area of the pedestrian overpass north of U.S. 192 was closed for a couple hours midday Monday — one of two major roads shut down on the day — as Kissimmee Police talked down a man who threatened to jump off the overpass into traffic.
A KPD spokesperson said the call came in just after 11 a.m., in reference to a male making threats to leap from the overpass. KPD patrol officers were able to establish dialogue with the man until KPD's Crisis Negotiation Team respond. Using its specialized training and tactics, the team convinced the male to step down from the ledge to safety about an hour later.
The man was transported to a local hospital by the Kissimmee Fire Department for further evaluation and treatment.
All lanes of John Young Parkway were closed between Columbia Avenue and Donegan Street and traffic was diverted during the incident, but were reopened around 1 p.m., a KPD official said.
It wasn't the only major Osceola thoroughfare closed Monday for an incident. Florida Highway Patrol reported a 78-year-old Kissimmee man was struck and killed when he was hit outside of his parked Toyota Corolla near the U.S. Highway 192 exit. An unknown vehicle struck the man and fled the scene.
As investigators were on-scene gathering further details, westbound traffic was diverted onto 192.
Anyone with information regarding this crash is asked to contact FHP or CRIMELINE (800-423-TIPS). The crash remains under investigation.
