Irvine man, 89, dead after jump from overpass

An 89-year-old Irvine man jumped to his death from an overpass in Mission Viejo on Monday morning, according to authorities.

The Orange County coroner’s office identified the man as Gordon Scholle.

Scholle jumped from the southbound 241 toll road between Los Alisos Boulevard and Portola Parkway around 10:15 a.m., Orange County Sheriff’s Department Lt. Jeff Hallock said.

That stretch of road splits into two bridges as it passes over an open area near El Toro Road.

Investigators don’t know why Scholle jumped, but his death is being investigated as a suicide, Hallock said.

Deputies are waiting for the coroner to perform an autopsy and determine the exact cause of death, Hallock said.

— Jeremiah Dobruck

Twitter: @jeremiahdobruck