Onlookers, Motorists Horrified as Man Jumps to His Death from Memphis Overpass

A harrowing scene unfolded in Memphis earlier today when a man jumped to his death from the top of a Memphis overpass.

Based on multiple videos shared on social media, a subject stood atop an overpass for several minutes. From multiple angles, you could see a figure in the distance standing still near vehicles that were parked along the I-40 at Sam Cooper.

As onlookers recorded with their phones, you could almost feel them holding their breath as many of them pleaded and prayed out loud in hopes that the subject would step down safely.

Then, in a shocking turn of events, you saw the figure jump from the bridge as their body fell to the paved roadway below where heavy traffic was flowing.

We're opting to not embed the video here, but those watching both in person and on Facebook live broadcasts were shocked and heartbroken as the harrowing scene played out in real-time.

Some criticized those recording and posting the video on social media.

Not long after the incident was first reported via multiple video streams on social media, the Memphis Police Department released the following message announcing that I-40 at Sam Cooper would be closed due to an ongoing death investigation.

WREG in Memphis confirmed that the closure was related to a subject who "jumped from the overpass."

Memphis Police confirmed at 4:15 p.m. that a subject jumped from the overpass and was taken to Regional One Hospital. They later referred to it as a death investigation.

Like many people mentioned in the comments, you never truly know what someone may be going through and this is a reminder for us to be as kind and compassionate as possible at all times.

This story is still developing and we will be updating it as more information becomes available.