Man Dies on 287
Wednesday, October 28, 2009Morris County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi, Esq. and Chief William Schievella announce the death of a 27 year old Bernardsville resident after a 9-1-1 call from a motorist is received on Tuesday, October 27, 2009.
On Tuesday, October 27, 2009 at 5:36 p.m. the Parsippany Troy-Hills Police Department (PTHPD) and the New Jersey State Police (NJSP) received a
9-1-1 call from a motorist on Route 287. The individual making the call was later identified as the mother of the victim. The caller reported that her son who had been traveling in her vehicle was having a panic attack and they were on Route 287 North in Parsippany. The caller also reported that her son was threatening to run into the path of oncoming traffic.
The Parsippany Troy-Hills Police Department (PTHPD) and the New Jersey State Police responded to the scene as well as the Parsippany Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and the Parsippany Volunteer First Aid Squad. Parsippany EMS arrived at the scene first and observed a white male on foot on the north bound shoulder of Route 287.
Two family members were by his side attempting to keep the victim calm, along with two Parsippany EMS personnel who ultimately were able to convince the victim to lie down on the shoulder of the highway out of harm's way.
Soon after the victim laid down, three Parsippany Troy-Hills Police Department (PTHPD) Officers arrived at the scene and restrained the victim by placing handcuffs on his wrists and ankles as a safety measure. The victim was estimated to be approximately six feet tall and weighing over 300 pounds. The Parsippany Troy-Hills Police Officers were soon assisted by the New Jersey State Police who kept the victim restrained and in the prone position on the macadam shoulder, which was beyond a concrete Jersey barrier. The barrier had been temporarily placed there due to ongoing construction near the intersection of Route 80.
The victim became extremely combative while providing him aid and required the assistance of five people to restrain him due to his agitated mental state and girth.
While prone, the victim began lifting his head by arching his back. He then proceeded to slam his forehead down on to the hard macadam surface, doing this at least six times. The victim ignored multiple demands to stop this behavior. Our preliminary investigation revealed that the patrols attempted to cushion the self-inflicted blows by placing blankets and their jackets down underneath the victim's head and face.
The victim subsequently went into cardiac arrest while still on Route 287. Efforts to revive the victim were to no avail and he was pronounced dead at Morristown Memorial Hospital at 6:36 p.m. on Tuesday, October 27, 2009 by Dr. Bilaniuk, M.D.
The investigation which was conducted by the Morris County Prosecutor's Office Major Crimes Unit revealed that family members were driving the victim to Saint Clare's Hospital in Denville and were en route north bound on Route 287, just south of the Route 80 intersection.
The victim was seated in the right rear seat of the four door vehicle when he became extremely agitated. The victim did not want to go to the hospital.
As the vehicle slowed down to about 40 MPH to exit the highway, the victim kicked the right rear door open and jumped out of the moving vehicle and threatened to run into oncoming traffic. The vehicle was stopped on the north bound shoulder of the highway while family members chased after the victim. Soon thereafter, Parsippany Troy-Hills Police Department (PTHPD) and New Jersey State Police (NJSP) arrived and assisted in restraining the victim prior to his cardiac arrest. The investigation is continuing at this time.
The manner and cause of death is currently pending the Morris County Medical Examiners findings.