CHP: Charge Teen Who Jumped Off Golden Gate Bridge

The California Highway Patrol is recommending the filing of trespassing charges by the San Francisco District Attorney's Office against the Windsor High School student who jumped from the Golden Gate Bridge Thursday morning.

The teen, who survived the 11 a.m., 220-foot fall from the South Tower area of the bridge, has been identified by friends on social media sites as 17-year-old Luhe "Otter" Vilagomez. School officials and the CHP have not confirmed his identity.      

Frederic Lecouturier, the 45-year-old San Rafael surfer who recovered the teen from the water and paddled him to the Fort Point shore on his board, said the teen told him he jumped "for kicks."

CHP Officer Chris Rardin said the misdemeanor trespassing charge entails climbing any rail, cable, suspender rope, tower or superstructure not
intended for public use.

The offense is punishable by up to a year in county jail, a fine of up to $10,000, or both.

Rardin said the CHP does not believe the teen intended to commit suicide, but wants to ensure he is not at risk for further incidents.

"For that reason, the CHP Marin Area is recommending a medical/psychiatric evaluation by medical professionals," Rardin said.

The teen was taken to San Francisco General Hospital. Rardin said there was no update today on his condition or whereabouts.

Windsor High School principal Mark Elin told two reporters who visited the campus this morning there is no indication from the other students who were on the field trip with the teen to San Francisco Thursday that the jump was a prank or was done on a dare.

The teen recently moved to the Windsor area and has attended Windsor High School since January, Elin said.

The 45 students in the school's CORE humanities' studies program were walking along the bridge before visiting the de Young museum, Windsor Unified School District Interim Superintendent William McDermott said.

Student Garrett Molsberry said this afternoon, "Everyone who heard the story or saw him jump said he did it for fun. He said he jumped off bridges before."

Another student named Sean said, "No one egged him on."

 Molsberry, 16, said he was told four students tried to grab "Otter's" arm but "he pulled off his shirt and hopped off the bridge."

One student sitting in the lobby of the high school office said Elin instructed students not to talk about the incident.

Elin would not allow reporters to interview the students on campus and directed them to the sidewalk in front of the school.

The students are prohibited from leaving school during lunch but
some agreed to be interviewed on the sidewalk.