Escaped psychiatric patient killed crossing highway
Oct. 08--SAN ANTONIO -- A psychiatric patient who authorities said was running away from a nearby hospital died Tuesday after being hit by multiple vehicles on Loop 1604.
The incident, which took place near Redland Road just before 10 a.m., left traffic backed up for hours as investigators shut down the North Side stretch of highway to clear the scene.
The man was identified as David Hartley Jr., 29, according to the Bexar County Medical Examiner's Office.
Hartley had a seizure at Laurel Ridge Treatment Center just before the incident, according to police.
An ambulance had been called to the center to transport him to another medical facility. Police, however, said he was not being compliant.
Authorities were able to get Hartley on a gurney, but before they could load him into the ambulance he ran toward the highway, said Officer Douglas Greene, a San Antonio Police Department spokesman.
Police were also called to the scene to get the man into custody.
As officers were trying to get Harltey off the highway and into custody, he crossed all westbound lanes unscathed, police said.
However, as he entered into the eastbound lanes, he was swiped by at least two cars, then again by a truck that police believe delivered the fatal blow, according to authorities.
Staff Writer Drew Joseph contributed to this report.
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Twitter: @MDWilsonSA
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