The truck driver who damaged a historic bridge in Paoli, Indiana, was ordered to serve 180 days in jail this week — the maximum possible sentence.
The incident occurred back in December 2015, when then-23 year old truck driver Mary Lambright ignored a 6-ton weight limit sign and attempted to travel across the old-cast iron bridge.
The bridge collapsed when it was struck, with portions ending up in a river below. When questioned, Lambright infamously told police that she didn’t know how much 6-tons was.
The truck she was driving was loaded with bottled water and weighed more than 6-times the posted limit. Lambright was licensed for just a few months when the accident happened.
In January 2017, Lambright pleaded guilty to several traffic violations, including reckless driving.
On April 12th, she was sentenced to 180 days in jail and a $2,400 fine, the maximum sentence she was eligible for.
Her lawyer asked the judge for a probation sentence, explaining the she currently works for $9 an hour and would like to continue working so she can “pay back as much as she can.”
According to WDRB news, the judge considered a lesser sentence, but went with the maximum due to the seriousness of the crime.
More than a year after the accident, the bridge is still closed and undergoing repairs. It’s expected to reopen in July.
City officials say the trucking company’s insurance is paying the full $700,000 bill for the repairs.