Officials Release Name of Man Who Jumped Off Bridge

By Jesse Olivarez, The Daily Oklahoman, The Daily Oklahoman

Dec. 21–The Oklahoma Highway Patrol on Tuesday released the name of a man who died after jumping off a bridge on Interstate 40 in Oklahoma City.

About 4 a.m. Monday, Nicandro Govea-Rodriguez, 17, of Jacksonville, Texas, was driving a van involved in a weather-related accident on I-40 at the Fort Smith Junction.

The van had been reported stolen in Midwest City, Lt. Pete Norwood said.

It sideswiped another vehicle in a crash attributed to unsafe speed and icy conditions.

Authorities are investigating the accident. A witness told troopers the man tried to drive away from the scene but the impact disabled the van.

Govea-Rodriguez then fled on foot, jumped over the side of the bridge and fell onto a concrete embankment about 82 feet below.

Govea-Rodriguez died at the scene.

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