By KATIE HURST/ Staff Writer

HOOVER — A Riverchase man died on the night of Oct. 27 along I-65 on the Cahaba River bridge while trying to assist the driver of an 18-wheeler, according to the Hoover Police Department.

Captain James Coker said Joseph Brent Mitchell, age 42, was driving with his family on I-65 when he saw an 18-wheeler truck on fire in the North bound lane.

Mitchell exited his vehicle and went to assist. When he went to jump over the barricade, he fell off the bridge to his death.

“He jumped over the barricade not knowing this was a bridge,” Coker said. “It was very dark, there’s no way he could have known. This gentleman that perished last night was a good Samaritan, he died in the attempt to help someone in need.”