Would-be jumper enticed from bridge in East Toledo

9/5/2008

Toledo firefighters early Friday coaxed an East Toledo woman from the Anthony Wayne Bridge after she threatened to jump into the Maumee River, surrendering to police about 90 minutes later, authorities said.

Toledo police said Marilyn Hemminger, 44, of Oswald Street, climbed up on a supporting cable at the top of the bridge s east trestle where a passerby saw her about 2:57 a.m. and called 911.

Firefighters arrived a short time later, climbed up the trestle, and negotiated with her.

She agreed to come down and was taken into custody about 4:29 a.m., officers said.

It was windy and nobody could hear anything at the street level, Battalion Fire Chief Mark Klein said. So we sent two guys with harnesses, who climbed up there, and managed to talk her down.

During the standoff, the bridge was closed to the vehicular traffic.

Ms. Hemminger was charged with disorderly-conduct intoxication and inducing panic, police said. She was being held in the Lucas County jail pending arraignment later in the day at Toledo Municipal Court.