A driver thanked a North Brunswick cop for arresting him Sunday morning and keeping him from committing suicide.
NORTH BRUNSWICK -- A motor vehicle stop became much more for a North Brunswick police officer Sunday morning when the man he arrested turned around and thanked him for saving his life.
Police said the man, who was not identified, told the officer he was going through a bad time and was suicidal, and trying to drive into oncoming traffic.
The series of events began when the officer tried to make a routine motor vehicle stop on Route 27 at 3:30 a.m. Police said the vehicle did not stop immediately and drove just over the border into New Brunswick before it stopped. The officer then discovered the driver's license was suspended.
Police said the man tried to escape, but was stopped and placed under arrest, although he continued to pull away. Another officer arrived to help.
"This familiar story became unusual when the driver began thanking the officer," according to the statement issued by the police department. "Apparently, the driver was going through a bad time and was suicidal, making attempts at running into oncoming traffic."
The driver thanked the officers for intervening "and preventing him from taking any further action," the statement said.
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The driver was taken to an area hospital for treatment.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached at 1 (800) 273-8255.
Sue Epstein may be reached at sepstein@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @susan_epstein. Find NJ.com on Facebook.