A man has died following a tragic incident in Hopkinsville Friday morning that stemmed from a welfare check.
According to a news release, officers with the Hopkinsville Police Department responded to requests for an attempt to locate a vehicle out of Evansville, Indiana that was being driven by 29-year-old Jacob Weaver. Officers were attempting to locate Weaver to check on his well-being, and Weaver was located in in the city limits.
A traffic stop was initiated, but Weaver reportedly fled before they could make contact, and he was stopped again near South Main and West Seventh Streets, where officers discovered that Weaver had severe, self-inflicted wounds. Officers reportedly tried to remove him from the vehicle to render air, but he fled once more.
Ultimately, after deputies with the Christian County Sheriff’s Office were able to end the pursuit by using a PIT maneuver, the vehicle was stopped for a third time at West Side Park. Officers and EMS immediately began life-saving measures. Weaver was transported to Jennie Stuart Medical Center, where he would later be pronounced deceased.
In the news release, HPD expressed their deepest condolences to Weaver’s family, and wanted to remind that anyone who is struggling with mental health challenges, that they are not alone, and there are resources here to help.
If you are someone you know is in crisis, you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or you can contact the Pennyroyal Center 24/7 Crisis Line.