In Solvay, N.Y., a tragic event unfolded early Tuesday morning when a woman, following a police chase that began in Baldwinsville, ended her own life after her vehicle came to a halt. State Trooper Jack Keller, acting as the spokesperson, provided the details of the incident.
The series of events was set in motion around 4 a.m. when a concerned individual contacted the Onondaga County 911, expressing worries about a friend who was experiencing suicidal thoughts. The friend, a 27-year-old woman, was reportedly driving at the time, and the caller was able to provide a description of the vehicle to the dispatchers.
Upon receiving the vehicle’s location via the friend’s cellphone, officers were able to locate the car on Route 48. Despite their attempts to pull her over, the woman continued driving, leading to a pursuit involving police from five different departments. She was en route to her home in Solvay and had almost reached her destination when she stopped the car in front of a residence at 624 Montrose Ave.
Keller reported that the woman remained inside the vehicle where she ultimately took her own life with a firearm.
In an effort to reach the woman, a trooper shattered a window of the vehicle. She was promptly transported to Upstate University Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead. The operation resulted in the breaking of the vehicle’s back driver-side and front passenger windows.
The trooper who broke the window sustained severe cuts to his hands and wrist, necessitating treatment and stitches at Upstate Hospital, as per Keller’s statement.
The scene of the incident was cordoned off with crime scene tape by the troopers and Solvay police, marking a somber reminder of the morning’s events.
In light of this tragedy, it’s crucial to remember that help is available for those experiencing suicidal, substance use, or other mental health crises. Immediate danger calls for dialing 911. For access to trained crisis counselors available 24/7, individuals can call, text, or chat with 988. Veterans and military personnel can dial 988 and press 1 to reach the Veterans and Military Crisis Line. In Central New York, Contact operates a 24-hour telephone counseling line at (315) 251-0600. Additionally, the Comprehensive Psychiatric Evaluation Program (CPEP) at St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center, reachable at (315) 448-6555, provides evaluation and treatment for individuals facing acute mental health crises.