Truck Destroys Paoli Bridge

WAVE 3 News

Woman faces charges in Paoli bridge collapse - The woman who was driving the semi-truck that caused an old Paoli bridge to collapse on Christmas day is facing several charges.

Mary Lambright, 23 of Fredericksburg, has been cited for reckless operation of a tractor-trailer, disregarding a traffic control device and overweight on posted bridge.

The accident happened around noon Friday. That's when Lambright, driving a semi with a 53-foot box trailer that contained 43,000 pounds of bottled water, attempted to cross the South Bridge located on South Gospel St.

According to a police report, the semi's trailer started ripping open when it was taller than the top of the bridge. As the semi continued on the bridge its weight caused the collapse.

The vehicle and trailer were hauled to Salem and are being held there pending an inspection by Indiana State Police.

Lambright works for Louisville Logistics.

The iron truss bridge was built in 1880 by the Cleveland Bridge & Iron Company.