Monday
March 24, 2008

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Apparent bridge jumper was Newburgh resident

TARRYTOWN – State Police Monday identified the man who they believed jumped to his death in an apparent suicide Saturday morning as a Newburgh resident.

A Honda Civic owned by Jonathan Draughn, 23, was found running on the northbound Tappan Zee Bridge. Several personal effects belonging to Draughn were in the car and interviews with friends and family failed to account for his whereabouts. Several interviews suggested he was depressed as a result of personal problem.

Police and fire crews searched the Hudson River in the vicinity of the bridge on Saturday and Sunday and were unable to locate the body.

Members of a construction crew working on the bridge at the time the car was abandoned did not report seeing anyone walking on the bridge.


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