A moment of panic turned tragic on Monday evening when a teenager attempting to flee on a bridge was involved in a fatal accident, authorities reported.

The Incident

According to police, the 17-year-old teen was reportedly trying to evade law enforcement on the Harrison River Bridge around 7:15 p.m. The teen allegedly ran onto the bridge while authorities were pursuing a minor traffic violation.

Witnesses said the situation escalated rapidly:

“One second they were running, the next there was a huge crash,” said a bystander.

Tragic Consequences

The teen was struck by an oncoming vehicle while attempting to cross the busy bridge. Emergency responders arrived within minutes, but the teen succumbed to injuries at the scene.

Police confirmed that the driver of the vehicle was not at fault and that no other pedestrians or drivers were seriously injured.

Authorities Investigating

Bridge traffic was temporarily closed while investigators examined the scene. Police are reviewing surveillance footage and witness statements to reconstruct the sequence of events.

A spokesperson said:

“This is a tragic reminder that attempting to flee authorities can have devastating consequences. Our thoughts are with the family during this incredibly difficult time.”

Community Reacts

Local residents expressed shock and sadness. Many said the bridge is typically busy, especially during evening hours, and the tragedy could have been far worse.

“It’s just heartbreaking,” said one resident. “It happened so fast, and now a young life is gone.”

Reminder on Safety

Authorities are using the incident as a cautionary tale, emphasizing that panicking or fleeing in dangerous locations can quickly turn deadly.