On Saturday morning, a mental health crisis involving a woman and her children caused the shutdown of both directions of I-40 for about four hours. The incident began when Burlington Communications Center received a 911 hang-up call from the area near Exit 140 around 4 a.m.
Responding to the call, Burlington Police found a 25-year-old woman with children inside her vehicle, who had made comments suggesting she could be armed. Members of the Burlington Regional Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT), including Crisis Negotiators, arrived at the scene to assist.
After three hours of intense negotiations, the woman was peacefully detained with no injuries, and the children were safely removed from the situation. She is currently receiving treatment at a local hospital. The interstate was reopened, and there is no longer a threat to the public.
The Burlington Police department commended all officers and crisis intervention specialists involved in resolving the situation successfully. They emphasized the importance of their training in de-escalation and mental health crisis intervention. The department is asking for anyone with additional information to contact them at (336) 229-3500 or provide tips anonymously through Alamance County-Wide Crimestoppers at (336) 229-7100 or using the mobile app, P3 Tips. Tips submitted through Crimestoppers may be eligible for cash rewards.
