ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, October 31, 1996 TAG: 9610310054
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C3 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: IRONTO
SOURCE: LISA GARCIA STAFF WRITER
A man who marched naked down Interstate 81 Saturday has been sent to a mental hospital for evaluation, Virginia State Police said Wednesday.
Sgt. Vern Jones said Trooper D.I. Compton took the unclothed man into custody about 30 minutes after the incident was reported.
The man, whose name Jones would not release, was riding with his parents in the northbound lanes of I-81 when he jumped out of their vehicle and stripped off his clothes. The man, who appeared to be in his 20s, was arrested about five miles from Christiansburg shortly before 10 a.m.
Jones said police have received several calls about the man jumping on the hoods of their cars. Several of the motorists, on their way to the Virginia Tech football game, said the man was seen carrying a Tech pennant.
Traffic was backed up for several miles while the man walked the white line between the left-and right-hand lanes, according to a Martinsville couple.
Jones said no charges have been filed. Police obtained a temporary detention order, under which the man will spend 15 days in St.Albans Psychiatric Hospital in Radford. Further action would be up to the Montgomery County commonwealth's attorney.
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