'She asked me to push her': Friend who shoved teen off 60ft bridge says she never intended to hurt her
The 18-year-old woman who shoved her hesitant teenage friend off a 60ft bridge causing serious injuries has now claimed that her friend had asked for the push. Prosecutors are considering whether to charge 18-year-old Taylor Smith after she was caught on video pushing 16-year-old Jordan Holgerson off Washington state's Moulton Falls Bridge on August 7.
In an interview with ABC, Taylor said that Jordan asked to be pushed because she was scared to jump. However, she admits that she had no idea of that the consequence would be so horrible and that Jordan would be left with multiple broken ribs and punctured lungs.
Speaking on 'Good Morning America', Taylor said that she had never predicted that this would happen to her friend and thought that her friend "would be fine".
"She wanted to jump and she was scared and she asked me to give her a push, I didn't think about the consequences," Taylor added.
"I've apologized several times, but I haven't been able to see her in person. I went to the hospital. I got asked to leave, I wasn't allowed to see her. I never intended to hurt her, ever. I'm really sorry it turned out that way. I just pray she heals," Taylor added.
Meanwhile, NBC news released an extended video showing Jordan clearly and repeatedly saying "stop" and "wait" for around 15 minutes before Taylor pushed her.
Despite seeing that Jordan was scared, Taylor can be heard saying, "Just go. You promised you would do it. Taylor, I'm going to push you. I don't care. I'd jump in there to save you if anything happens. Jordan, I got you."
Taylor can also be heard saying "stop talking" just moments before she shoves Jordan in the back.
Jordan fell off the 60ft bridge and belly-flopped into the water resulting in serious injuries.
Jordan has been released from the hospital and is currently recovering at home. She recently spoke out to say that she would like Taylor to "sit in jail" for her irresponsible actions. Initially, Jordan did not want her friend to be charged but has now had a change of heart. In an interview with 'Today', Jordan shared, "Now that I've thought about it more, I'm kind of wanting her to sit in jail and think about at least what she did".
"I had five broken ribs, and we just found out I have another broken rib, and I had two punctured lungs," Jordan said. "I'm in a lot of pain. In the mornings it's the worst. It hurts to breathe, my side hurts, my shoulder hurts, I can't even get up. I'm probably going to be recovering for the rest of the school year," she continued. The Clark County Sheriff's office had finished its investigation last week.
The case was forwarded to the prosecutor's office for "appropriate charging". Authorities have shared that Taylor has been cooperating with the investigation.