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CNN Live Today

Interview With Sheriff's Deputy Tom Prunier

Aired April 03, 2002 - 14:50   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: This is a story we have been trying to bring to you for the last couple of days. It is no secret that law enforcement is in a dangerous line of business. But take a look at this. I think you just saw it there. It's in Sedgewick County, Kansas. And Deputy Tom Prunier is standing next to the van when the second vehicle crashes into the scene.

Here it is again, slow motion. The car hits the van, the van bumps Deputy Prunier. Whoa! It's more than a bump, I would say. He's OK, and we're happy to bring him to you. Deputy Prunier, live -- and I emphasize that -- from Wichita, to talk about what happened.

Deputy, that was an amazing video. What did that feel like?

DEPUTY TOM PRUNIER, SEDGEWICK COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPT.: I really didn't have much time to think about what it felt like.

LIN: You -- I'm sorry, there was a roar in the newsroom. I think they're monitoring some event, which, if it's important enough, we'll bring it to you. But, in the meantime, give me the circumstance of what happened. I guess it was the camera on your car that captured that image?

PRUNIER: Yeah. All of our cars are -- have video camera recorders that record everything that we do while we're on a stop or a citizen contact.

LIN: And what happened? You were standing there. Did you pull someone over at the time?

PRUNIER: Yeah, I'd stopped the van for speeding. I was about completed with the stop. when I noticed -- when I heard the other car screeching around the corner.

LIN: And did you jump to get out of the way, or were you just thrown by the force?

PRUNIER: I think I was pretty much thrown. I went on auto pilot about the time I saw the car coming. I don't really know what I did. Just by what I saw in the video.

LIN: And what did you think when you got up there?

PRUNIER: I'm sorry, I didn't hear you. LIN: What did you say to yourself when you got up there?

PRUNIER: Well, once I got up and got to the side of the road and had time to gather my thoughts a little bit, I was just thankful that I could still be standing.

LIN: You bet. Was there someone inside the van that was hit?

PRUNIER: There was two people inside the van. The passenger hit his head pretty good. The driver seemed to be all right. I think both of them are fairly sore now.

LIN: And what happened to the driver that hit the van that hit you?

PRUNIER: She was arrested for suspicion of drunk driving.

LIN: Did you get a chance to talk to her at the scene?

PRUNIER: I did just briefly. I had her sit down and wait for EMS to show up to treat any injuries that she might have.

LIN: All right, Deputy Prunier, I've got to comment. You are so incredibly calm. We're watching this video over and over and over again, and this is like just another day at the office for you.

PRUNIER: Well, I don't know what to say about that. I was real lucky and fortunate. So I don't know, I guess auto pilot kicked in. I fell back on my training and just had a job to do.

LIN: What in the world in your training would prepare you for a situation like this?

PRUNIER: A lot of luck, and that's about it. A lot of luck.

LIN: All right, well, speaking of lucky, this isn't the first time this has happened to you, is it?

PRUNIER: No. In 1996 I was rear-ended by a drunk while I was working. An accident in Wichita.

LIN: So in your life, is three a charm? This isn't going to happen to you again, I hope.

PRUNIER: I really hope not. But in this line of work, you never know what's going to happen from day to day.

LIN: Yes. Your job looks pretty dangerous, there. I mean, do you feel like swimming off the coast of Florida during the summertime and catching some sharks, or playing out in a thunderstorm and a nice round of golf? You are really lucky. I hope you play the lotto someday real soon, and win big. Did you learn anything from the experience?

PRUNIER: I learned that even under very stressful situations, you can still perform your duties. And every once in a while you do get really lucky.

LIN: You sure are. All right. Well, Deputy Prunier, I hope three isn't a charm. I hope you never have to go through this again. And, man, if I'm ever in trouble, I want a calm deputy like you coming to my rescue. Thanks so much.

PRUNIER: Well, thank you.

LIN: All right, Deputy Prunier. A survival tale.

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