I grew up less than 5 miles from there. The river is 3 miles wide at that point. Its not that deep until you get to the middle. So I can definitely see how he could have carried her and waded back to dry land.
How the hell she managed to get into the lanes going the other way I’m not sure. There is a guardrail separating traffic on the Buckman bridge. I thought I remembered it being concrete.
I live less than 5 miles from there now.
On the south (Mandarin side) there are now toll lanes in both directions.
Right before you get to the bridge heading to the westside there is a large median break.
She could have crossed over there and kerplunk.