Car Drives Off Edge of Brownsville Bridge, Lands In City Park, Driver Unharmed

View from the road in Brownsville City Park. BPD Chief of Police Jeff Jewel and Brownsville Assistant Fire Chief Stan Tillman assess the damage.

Darren Doyle, story and photos:
A local woman walked away unharmed Wednesday afternoon after her car landed in the city park after leaving the south side of the Brownsville bridge.

An eyewitness on the scene said she saw the whole thing as the event took place.

"We were coming across the bridge-- we were driving-- and I just looked out the corner of my eye and I saw a white car, just plummet," said Lorrie Skaggs, from Lindseyville. "I said to Kevin, who was with me, 'Oh my God, a car just run off the bridge. It was flying through the air--it was airborne."

Mrs. Skaggs said her husband Kevin Skaggs, went to check the car and found the driver unresponsive at first.

View from Washington Street where the car hit the pavement and fell down the embankment.

According to Brownsville Police, Katie Jaggers, (30) of Brownsville, was headed north on Main Street when for an unknown reason, her 2003 Chevy Impala traveled across traffic and exited the roadway just inches from the guardrail of the southern entrance on the Brownsville Bridge.

The car then went airborne, hit the pavement of Washington Street below, then fell approximately another 75 feet down the embankment of the Brownsville City Park.

Emergency workers said Jaggers was able to exit the car on her own free will. She told officials she was uninjured and refused medical treatment at the scene. It was not known if she was wearing a seat belt.

​Brownsville Police said Jaggers was arrested and was being charged with Driving Under the Influence. Police also said Jaggers didn't know how or why the accident happened.

View from where the car left the roadway and went airborne. Tire tracks can be seen inches from the guardrail.

In addition to the Brownsville PD, members of the Brownsville, Chalybeate, and Kyrock Fire Departments responded to the scene, along with Edmonson EMS, JAWS, and the District 2 Constable.

*This article was updated at 8:46pm on 3/7/18 after the eyewitness, Mrs. Lorrie Skaggs confirmed to us the person with her was her husband, Mr. Kevin Skaggs. That information was not clear at the time of the interview.