The classic American emergency exit sign—the bold red letters spelling out E-X-I-T—seems at first glance like an unimpeachable bit of sign design.

The man scaled the exit sign for southbound 6th Street, Wilshire Boulevard and downtown 4th Street offramps. All southbound lanes on the 110 freeway leading into downtown were closed by 9:30 a.m.

A man’s body was found hanging from an exit sign pole on the Cross Island Parkway in Queens early Wednesday, shocking passing drivers. John Rynne, 57, was found hanging from a traffic advisor… ...