South Florida drawbridge operator avoids prison for bicyclist’s death

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – A drawbridge operator who killed a bicyclist last year when she raised the spans earlier than ensuring they have been clear has pleaded responsible to manslaughter in a deal that enables her to keep away from prison time.

Artissua Paulk, 43, was sentenced to eight years of probation and 200 hours of neighborhood service at Tuesday’s listening to. Her probation could possibly be lower to 5 years if she completes all situations imposed.

Paulk was working a bridge that connects West Palm Beach and Palm Beach on Feb. 6 when 79-year-old Carol Wright started strolling her bike throughout the span. Before opening the bridge to let a ship go and after decreasing its entrance boundaries, Paulk was alleged to go outdoors the bridge tender’s station and ensure no automobiles, pedestrians or bicyclists have been on it.

But Wright was nonetheless on the bridge and when it opened, she fell about 50 toes (15 meters) onto a concrete slab and died. A retired newspaper editor, Wright had been using again from a bookstore.

Paulk initially advised police she had checked the bridge, however surveillance video and textual content messages she despatched to her boss instantly after Wright’s fall present she had not.

Florida Drawbridges, the non-public contractor that operates the government-owned span, paid Wright’s household $8 million to settle a lawsuit.