Drawbridge operator reaches plea deal, receives sentence for woman's deadly plunge

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (TND) — The Florida drawbridge operator who caused a 79-year-old woman to fall to her death reached a plea deal and will spend two more days in jail.

WPEC reports Artissua Paulk, 43, pleaded guilty to manslaughter on Tuesday.

Last February, she raised the Royal Park bridge separating Palm Beach and West Palm Beach while Carol Wright was walking her bicycle across it.

Wright struggled to hold on to the railing but eventually fell to her death.

The next month, Paulk was charged for not conducting a visual inspection to make sure the bridge was clear before she opened it.

As part of the plea agreement, Paulk was ordered to serve two days in county jail, but she was given credit for time served. She will also have to serve 200 hours of community service and eight years of probation.

Wright's family was in court and agreed to the plea deal and sentencing.

They already got an $8.27 million settlement from the private company that operates the bridge.