Teen who pushed her friend off 60ft Washington bridge sentenced to two days in jail
A teenager who pleaded guilty to charges brought against her for pushing her 16-year-old friend off a bridge and causing her to sustain serious injuries broke down in tears as she was sentenced this past Wednesday, March 27.
According to the Daily Mail, Clark County District Judge Darvin Zimmerman sentenced 19-year-old Taylor Smith to two days in jail and 38 days on a county work crew for pushing her friend, Jordan Holgerson, off a bridge in August last year, stating the teen should serve some jail time in light of the victim's serious injuries.
In a video which was filmed on August 7, 2018, and which went viral across social media and clocked millions of views, Holgerson can be seen standing at the edge of a bridge located at Moulton Falls, northeast of Vancouver, reluctant to jump. As she's readying herself, Smith can be seen entering the frame and pushing her friend, with the 60-foot fall breaking five of the 16-year-old's ribs, puncturing both her lungs, injuring her trachea, and causing severe bruising to her esophagus.
Smith was subsequently charged with reckless endangerment, which is a gross misdemeanor and had a maximum penalty of one year in prison and/or a $5,000 fine. She had initially entered a plea of not guilty and was granted a supervised release from the court on the condition that she not leave the area and not contact Holgerson.
The trial officially went underway on February 11, with Holgerson telling the court during Wednesday's sentencing hearing that she was still dealing with the physical therapy, pain, anxiety, and panic attacks stemming from the incident.
The Mail reported that the 16-year-old started to cry during her statement and that an advocate had to read it for her. The advocate described how she was terrified when she was pushed and how she thought she was going to die when she hit the water.
Genelle Holgerson, the victim's mother, said they "feel lucky" that the teen is alive today and asked Judge Zimmerman to sentence Smith to some jail time. "It has cost me and my family lost wages not to mention stress and heartache," she told the court.
Smith, who previously claimed in an interview that Holgerson asked to be pushed because she was scared to jump, apologized to the teen and said she had been in her thoughts. She also said she has and will continue to do her best to right her wrongs.
She broke down in tears as a deputy handcuffed her and led her out of the courtroom.