Francisco Solomon Sanchez Kills Himself After 10 Tries

After at least 10 documented suicide attempts spanning several years, Francisco Solomon Sanchez finally succeeded in killing himself last Friday, reports the Pasadena Star-News.

The 41-year old man from Duarte jumped from the 210 Freeway overpass and was hit by at least one car. The LA County Coroner ruled that his death was a suicide.

Sanchez had actually jumped from the same overpass in 2003, and used prosthetic legs as a result of that failed attempt. His efforts have landed him in mandatory psychiatric evaluation in the past, but health and safety officials are limited when it comes to mental health interventions. In LA County, people can be held involuntarily in a psychiatric health facility for up to 72 hours. The person can be held for an additional 14 days against his or her will only if certain criteria are fulfilled. From the LA County Department of Mental Health training manual (PDF):

1. The professional staff of the designated facility has found that the patient meets the criteria of being dangerous to others, self, and/ or gravely disabled due to a mental disorder; and 2. The facility providing the intensive treatment is designated by the county and agrees to admit the patient; and 3. The person has been advised of the need for, but has not been willing or able to accept, treatment on a voluntary basis. (§5250)

The 210 Freeway has seen other suicides and suicide attempts in the past. In April of this year, a man jumped from the overpass in La Canada Flintridge. In May 2010, police were able to convince another man to climb down safely after he threatened to throw himself off the overpass in Azusa. And in November 2008, a suicide caused a second death in the form of a traffic collision.

A call to Caltrans (California Department of Transportation) revealed that while the department has a database to track traffic accidents, there is no system to record suicides and suicide attempts. The spot where Sanchez jumped from had not been flagged as a high-incident location in the past, but Caltrans is launching an investigation in response to The Huffington Post's inquiry.

Need help? In the U.S., call 1-800-273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

Comments

[Maryellen OLeary]

02:59 PM on 06/13/2011

This is so sad. It's a shame Korvokian wasn't allowed to continue his work. He didn't kill people he helped them to end pain, torment, and terminal illness.

[Aj Gonzalez]

10:26 AM on 06/12/2011

Very Tragic and sad that such a person who could have so much to live for took his own life more than ten times and ended after the elevnth attemp. More should be done to help others who have mental health problems like this. I Just feel so sorry for his family and children( if he has any) he left behind.

[Steven Samra]

08:33 AM on 06/12/2011

"If at first ya don't succeed..." But ya gotta wonder whether, if better (or "any," given the budget butchering that's been done to MH services recently) mental health services were available the man would still be alive today?

[Doug Bradley]

01:04 PM on 06/10/2011

Now that's determination!

[Bones Rhodes]

12:53 AM on 06/11/2011

---or incompetence.

[Aabby]

09:28 AM on 06/10/2011

may he finally rest in peace!

[Travis M]

03:37 PM on 06/08/2011

I know I was sad the Dodgers lost too.. keep you head up LA.

[zfire]

12:15 PM on 06/08/2011

So these people don't have the right to a peaceful assisted suicide in the privacy of their own homes but I run the risk of them landing on my car on my way to work?

[A Mo]

12:09 PM on 06/08/2011

Suicide is a selfish act. It is when you feel so much pain, you can shut everyone else out, and hate yourself so much for being you, you can stop breathing.

When you hate everyone else and love yourself, you can kill someone else. This is not selfish, because this person is willing to share his pain with others.

[JoanieJett]

05:35 PM on 06/13/2011

It's simplistic and lazy to jump to the conclusion that suicide is a selfish act. People who make such assumptions are looking only at the obvious, most simplistic explanation.

You cannot assess something as complicated and painful as suicide through the standards of a calm, reasonable lens.

When someone gets to the point of truly wanting to die, their feelings of self-worth are less than none. They believe that their presence on earth causes pain and suffering to other people. They truly believe their death will bring about relief for people who, like them, can find no solution to their problems.

When people are suicidal, they see no other alternative. The greatest component is the lack of hope - they look into their future and they cannot see any scenario possible where their circumstances can change. The only option they see is to just end it quickly and allow people to grieve their deaths for a moment and then get on with their lives.

In other words, they honestly feel so worthless that they feel the world will actually be a better place without them; that for the people who have the unfortunate circumstances to be in their world, that their suicide will bring about relief for them and peace for themselves.

It's NOT about selfishness. That is like thinking that rape is about sex. What may seem obvious is not only wrong, but those who think it is are really uninformed and too lazy to think past the obvious.

[808AllUP]

02:08 AM on 06/15/2011

It IS about selfishness and the belief that no one else can possibly need or want you in their lives. What COULDN'T be more selfish than walking out on family and friends and ending your life?

I appreciate your interesting perspective JoanieJett - I just do not agree with it.

[808AllUP]

03:01 AM on 06/08/2011

Is it wrong to NOT feel sympathy for one who could have very easily killed an innocent person in his selfish final act? Sometimes it's better when someone like this this is dead. May his soul finally rest in peace.

[JoanieJett]

05:43 PM on 06/13/2011

I don't think anyone is asking you to feel anything one way or the other as far as sympathy is concerned. I've always found it strange when there are news stories about certain events, tragic or unpleasant, and people respond with things like, "Am I supposed to feel sorry for these people?" or "I find it hard to feel sympathetic for these people."

Like those other stories usually are, this is simply a news story published to inform you. You haven't been asked by anyone for your sympathy, pity or charity. Why did you read that into the story - it isn't there. You are simply being informed.

However, on a separate note I will say that from your comments you seem like a very kind person. It's good to know people like you are in the world.

[808AllUP]

01:41 AM on 06/15/2011

What's nice about living in this country JoanieJett is we never have to ask permission or wait for someones validation before we can choose to express an opinion - especially on such selfish acts as this one was. I was responding more to the comments from other people rather than the news story. How do you find that strange?

[Faith French]

02:45 PM on 06/07/2011

Sorry so many don't get it. That can explain politicis now. Humor shows only a lack of concern for issues too poorly addressed. He had family and friends aware of his pains, and who have a loss and greater pain now. It can happen anywhere, anytime. Even to yours.

[bi-poplar]

01:09 PM on 06/07/2011

Very sad, but my thoughts are with the unfortunate people who hit him. That will haunt them forever. Very selfish act.

[StopMakingSense2]

01:02 PM on 06/07/2011

Maybe it was a cry for help? Nah, I'm a product of the times, I'm too self absorbed to care. What's on Faux Nooz to validate my insecurities is more important..

[rysagr]

10:46 PM on 06/08/2011

cry for help lol

[Futbllwmn]

12:54 PM on 06/07/2011

As a victim of suicide in my family it's devastating for the loved ones who survive. The devastation never ends even after 20 years. My heart goes out to his family and loved ones. RIp

[Flor Arellano]

12:41 PM on 06/07/2011

This is just sad. Can't believe this man thought his life was that bad that he tried so many times to end it. May he find peace now.

[facepalmpatriot]

12:40 PM on 06/07/2011

Is wanting to die actually a "sickness"? Better yet, is it possible for a completely mentally sound, coherent person to decide they no longer wish to live? I believe it is. Some people just get sick of living for whatever reason. So, would it be a bad thing to offer a medical service that provided a painless, respectful option for ending your life?