Photo: bjones27 / E+ / Getty Images
Tampa, FL - The Sunshine Skyway Bridge was temporarily closed on Wednesday morning due to law enforcement activity following a report of a suspicious package.
The incident, which involved a bomb squad investigation, led to significant traffic disruptions before the bridge reopened around 12:30 p.m.
According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to the bridge at approximately 9:48 a.m. after discovering a suspicious vehicle parked on the southbound span.
A sheriff's office spokeswoman confirmed that the driver of the vehicle had jumped from the bridge.
"I can confirm that a subject jumped from the Skyway Bridge this morning and was found deceased," said spokesperson Casey Minuto. Notification of next of kin is pending.
The sheriff's office bomb team was called to examine a suspicious box found inside the vehicle.
After robots were used to access the vehicle, it was determined the contents were not a threat.
Both northbound and southbound lanes of I-275 over the bridge were closed for several hours during the investigation.
All lanes of traffic have since reopened.
The closure caused significant traffic delays, with motorists advised to seek alternative routes.
Southbound traffic on I-275 was diverted at 54th Avenue South, while northbound traffic was diverted at the I-75 & I-275 split.
Drivers were urged to avoid the area until the investigation was concluded and the bridge was cleared for reopening.
As of now, the Florida Highway Patrol has not released further details regarding the identity of the individual involved or the circumstances leading to the incident.
The investigation is ongoing.