Teen who pushed girl off 18m bridge charged with reckless endangerment
A teenager accused of injuring her 16-year-old friend when she pushed the teen off a bridge has been charged with reckless endangerment after video of the shove went viral.
Charging documents filed by the Clark County Prosecuting Attorney’s office say Taylor Smith, 18, created “a substantial risk of death or serious physical injury” to the 16-year-old girl, KGW television station reported Friday.
Jordan Holgerson was pushed off a bridge on August 7 at Moulton Falls northeast of Vancouver, Washington, and fell 18 meters. She suffered injuries ranging from broken ribs to punctured lungs.
Bodies of girls ‘found in oil tank’ after father’s plea to find them
Truckie tragically killed just months after having first child
Colleagues pay tribute to helicopter pilot killed while putting out fires
‘Dastardly’: Dad’s furious post blasting Coles for mini collectables
Video that was posted on YouTube and later removed shows Ms Holgerson standing on the bridge with friends. Ms Smith is seen forcefully pushing her off the span from behind.
Reckless endangerment is a gross misdemeanor in Washington state, punishable by up to a year in jail.
It was not immediately clear if Ms Smith had an attorney. She previously told ABC she had “apologised several times” and tried to visit Ms Holgerson in the hospital but was asked to leave.
However the victim’s family believe Ms Smith’s apology is insincere.
“Taylor has been going out as if nothing happened,” a family member of Ms Holgerson told the Mirror.
“She’s been at a pool party and there were pictures of her at the county fair with a friend on Instagram.
“She clearly doesn’t care”.
Jordan returns home from hospital
Ms Holgerson has since left hospital but her family says she can barely move and is in constant pain.
Her aunt has since started a GoFundMe page to help cover her spiralling medical bills as the teen’s single mother of four struggles to cover the cost while taking time off work to be by her daughter’s side.