WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — Artissua Paulk, 46, a West Palm Beach bridge tender, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after violating probation linked to the death of 79-year-old Carol Wright in a tragic drawbridge accident.
In 2022, Paulk prematurely raised the Royal Park Bridge as Wright was attempting to cross. The resulting incident led to Wright’s death, and Paulk was charged with manslaughter. On January 10, 2023, she was placed on probation for eight years after pleading guilty.
However, in January 2024, Paulk violated the terms of her probation by failing a drug test, neglecting her mandatory community service, and failing to pay court fines.
In court on Tuesday, nearly a year after the violations, Paulk’s defense attorney argued she was showing improvement and had become a “different person.” However, the state disagreed, requesting a 15-year sentence. The judge ultimately sentenced Paulk to 10 years in prison.