Anderson man jumps off North St. bridge 'to cool off'

Photo by Michael Woodward

Aaron Passieux, center, talks to law enforcement officers after jumping from the North Street bridge.

Photo by Michael Woodward

Passieux was reported by an eye-witness to have jumped from the bridge above the white sign.

Anderson Police Department rushed downriver after Aaron Passieux, 22, of Anderson, after he jumped from the North Street bridge into the water below at 3:51 p.m.

"He was arguing with [a female] and off he goes," said eye-witness Jeff Roth, who saw Passieux jump from the bridge.

At least one APD officer was on scene before Passieux emerged from the Sacramento River approximately 100 yards downstream, according to Roth.

"[Passieux] said he wanted to cool off so he decided to jump in the river," APD Chief Dale Webb said amid the 68 degree evening.

Webb adding that Passieux would not be charged by the APD, as the bridge is county jurisdiction.

"There's possibly a violation of a county code," Webb said.

Although APD Officer Brian Benson said Passieux was reported to have gone swimming in the river before, Passieux had not been known to jump off the bridge.