
Mother Holding Toddler Jumps From Overpass Into Semi’s Path in Apparent Murder-Suicide
Jackson, TN – A 26-year-old woman jumped off of a Tennessee overpass and into the path of a semi while holding her toddler son in an apparent murder/suicide.
According to the Madison County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO), the incident took place around 12:30 a.m. on Monday, January 4 on Interstate 40 at exit 93 in the westbound lanes.
Authorities identified the victims as Tonisha Lashay Barker of Memphis and her 21-month old son, Jonathan Jones.
MCSO said it first received reports of a woman — later identified as Baker — driving her vehicle into a gas pump at a Shell gas station, located at 151 Law Road, off of exit 93.
Witnesses told authorities the woman then exited her vehicle with a “small child” and began walking towards the I-40 overpass, local outlet WBBJ reported.
That’s when Baker and her son “disappeared.”
Minutes later, police said a truck driver traveling westbound on the interstate called in to report a “large object” had fallen from the bridge and struck his truck.
Authorities found the bodies of Baker and her son on the I-40 roadway.
Baker’s death has been classified a suicide while her son’s is still “under investigation,” according to investigators.
“It’s hard on everybody, especially the driver of the vehicle. It’s just a bad situation that we hate to ever receive,” MCSO sheriff John Mehr said.
Investigators have not officially released a motive for the murder/suicide; however, Baker’s grandmother claims her granddaughter had been battling depression.
Additionally, Baker’s job at a COVID-19 testing spot ended last month, The-Sun.com reported.
The trucker’s identity was not released by authorities.
Photos courtesy family of Tonisha Baker & WREG
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