An armed woman sat in a lawn chair on a busy Texas highway, sparking an hours-long standoff with law enforcement that brought traffic to a standstill. This incident occurred on Thursday, with the woman involved in a crash with an 18-wheeler on I-4, in Spring, Texas. Both parties were unharmed, but the woman decided to exit her vehicle, take a chair, and sit in the middle of the highway, refusing to drop her weapon. The situation escalated as law enforcement, including Harris County Constable Precinct 4 deputies, arrived at the scene.
According to reports, the sheriff noted that the woman had expressed suicidal thoughts and was coping with mental health issues, including a history of psychosis, which made the situation complex. The sheriff stressed that the woman was not rational at the time and that there was no logical reasoning behind her actions. As law enforcement attempted to negotiate with her, traffic was halted for five hours, causing significant delays as a result of the standoff.
During the standoff, Crisis Intervention Response Team members were involved, and her daughter arrived on the scene, which helped in calming the situation. The sheriff highlighted that allowing the woman to speak with her daughter provided reassurance, and the woman’s behavior improved after realizing her daughter was safe.
The woman eventually surrendered and was taken into custody, subsequently being transported to a hospital for further evaluation. This incident has sparked discussions about mental health care, law enforcement procedures, and the challenges of dealing with individuals in crisis situations.