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CNN Live Today

Report Blasts Duke University's Handling of Rape Allegations; Virginia Police Ambush; Deported Dad

Aired May 09, 2006 - 11:01   ET

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


DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Hello. I'm Daryn Kagan. Welcome to the second hour of CNN LIVE TODAY.
Any minute, we expect to hear more from a news conference in Fairfax County, Virginia, on the shooting yesterday at the Fairfax County Police Department. One detective was killed and the shooter was killed by police. And they're describing the shooter as a heavily-armed teenager who was targeting police when he opened fire outside of that police station in suburban Washington, D.C.

We're learning more about what actually took place there. And we will go to that news conference live when it begins.

Meanwhile, let's look at some other news of the day.

Too slow and too superficial, that is the bottom line of a report on Duke's response to a recent rape allegation. The case has stoked longstanding tensions over race and class in the community. The accuser is an African-American student from a nearby school. The accused, members of the elite lacrosse team who hired her to perform as a stripper.

More now from Amanda Lamb of our Raleigh affiliate, WRAL.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

AMANDA LAMB, REPORTER, WRAL (voice over): Since the rape allegations against Duke lacrosse players were made public, the school and its administration had been under a microscope.

SUE WASIOLEK, DEAN OF STUDENTS, DUKE UNIVERSITY: It's so easy to look back on this situation and second guess and realize what could have been, should have been.

LAMB: The dean of students, Sue Wasiolek, and several other administrators learned about the accusations on March 14th from Duke's police director, Robert Dean. A report from a Duke committee just released says administrators were slow to address the allegations. Wasiolek says that's because Dean told them Durham police were not convinced a rape had taken place.

WASIOLEK: It did not appear as though this case was really going to go very far, because there were some real inconsistencies in some of the information that the alleged victim was providing.

WADE SMITH, ATTORNEY FOR COLLIN FINNERTY: We believe that this is a fine young man, and we believe in his innocence.

LAMB: Wade Smith is one of the attorneys representing Collin Finnerty, one of the two Duke lacrosse players charged with rape. Smith says the fact that Durham police told Duke police that the victim kept changing her story is critical.

SMITH: It goes straight to her credibility, which is ground zero in his case. That credibility of that woman is ground zero.

LAMB: Smith won't talk about his defense, but this latest revelation looks good for his team.

SMITH: I'm sure that if you filled Carter-Finley Stadium with lawyers who do this kind of work and ask them, they say this probably would help the case.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: Other news today, there's some severe weather in the Midwest. Chad Myers is watching that -- Chad.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Daryn, we had a bunch of wind yesterday.

(WEATHER REPORT)

KAGAN: All right, Chad. Thank you.

MYERS: You're welcome.

KAGAN: Let's go live now to Virginia, to Fairfax County, the police department there, the latest on yesterday's shooting.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We will, first of all, hear from the chief of police, David Rohrer. We will then hear from Major Bob Callahan, who is the commander of the major crimes and investigative side of the house. We also then will hear from commonwealth's attorney, Robert Horan.

What they're going to talk about is basically what -- run you through some of the sequence of events. Particularly, Bob Callahan will run you through some of the sequence of events. He will not take questions immediately. We'd like to wait until Mr. Horan has spoken, and then we will take some questions from you.

There are releases and timelines that will be available to you. They are down here now, I believe. But we will hand them out for sure as soon as the remarks are concluded.

With that, let me turn it over first to Chief David Rohrer.

CHIEF DAVID ROHRER, FAIRFAX POLICE: Thank you. And good morning.

The men and women of the Fairfax County Police Department are in mourning today over the loss of a beloved member of our police department, Detective Vickie Armell (ph). We stand in support also of her husband, who is also a detective with our department, their children and their families.

We are also resolved in our support for our seriously wounded officer and his family, and I ask that the community keep our officers and their families in their thoughts and prayers.

I wish to thank the community, our elected officials and other county officials, my peers, and the men and women in law enforcement throughout the region who have contacted us throughout late yesterday as this horrific event unfolded, throughout the night, and into this morning to extend their sympathy and to offer any and all assistance we may need.

I also extend my sincere appreciation to the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue departments and the entire staff of Inova Fairfax Hospital. Unfailingly and without hesitation, they have supported us and continue to support us, and they have extended us every courtesy. The citizens of Fairfax County are well served by each of these organizations.

My pride in our departments is steadfast and unwavering. The tragic and horrific scene and the response by our dedicated men and women poured (ph) out that pride yesterday.

This is a difficult time for our department. And my focus last night and again today is on the welfare of our men and women who have my sincere respect and appreciation in our department.

I am going to allow others to brief the specific details of the incident and to provide appropriate updates as needed.

KAGAN: An emotional police chief in Fairfax County, Virginia, following yesterday's incident at the police department when it's described that a heavily-armed teenager was targeting police when he opened up fire at the suburban Washington, D.C. station house. He killed Detective Vickie Armell (ph), and another officer was severely wounded as well.

More details about what they're discovering about the motivation of that teenager who was also killed later as it becomes available.

Meanwhile, we'll show you live pictures. This is Florida -- Sun City, Florida. President Bush is speaking there today on Medicare prescription drug benefits. We'll listen in and bring you the highlights as they unfold.

Crimes from the past come back to haunt a man in Missouri. He's being sent back to his native country. The life he's built with his family here in the U.S. has been shattered.

Laura Morris of our affiliate KMBC in Independence, Missouri, has details.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) LAURA MORRIS, REPORTER, KMBC (voice over): It is evident how much neighbors, friends, even the family dentist and veterinarian care about Adam Hernandez.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: If you need anything, you tell me.

ADAM HERNANDEZ, BEING DEPORTED BACK TO HONDURAS: Thank you.

MORRIS: This barbecue will be the last for Adam. In less than 24 hours he will be deported to Honduras.

HERNANDEZ: You're my life -- and these kids.

MORRIS: Adam will leave his wife, daughter and son behind.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We'll figure out a way to get our family back together, honey.

HERNANDEZ: I know, honey.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: OK?

HERNANDEZ: It's just...

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And I know you.

HERNANDEZ: ... it's hard, man.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I know how strong you are.

MORRIS: Adam was denied citizenship because of crimes he committed in California as a teenager. The life he started here will go unfinished.

HERNANDEZ: Look, I already did the kitchen by myself. I was going to do this, this summer, but I won't get to do that.

I said no tears, but it's hard. I'll see you soon. OK? I'm going to miss you guys. Take care of the kids, OK?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Stay the night in Houston tonight, and then go from Houston to Honduras tomorrow morning.

MORRIS: Less than two hours before Adam must board his plain.

HERNANDEZ: Be strong. OK?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: OK.

HERNANDEZ: I'm never going to abandon you, OK? I've been there. I don't want that for you guys.

MORRIS: It's difficult to witness. It is devastating to hear.

HERNANDEZ: You've got to listen to mom. Don't give her hell.

MORRIS: Longing for more time together, there is none.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Adam, I love you, baby.

HERNANDEZ: I love you, too.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Be strong.

HERNANDEZ: I'm being strong.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And I'm going to be strong. I promise you. I promise you.

HERNANDEZ: Take care of my children.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'll take care of them.

HERNANDEZ: All right, baby. I love you guys. I love you.

MORRIS: The end of a 26-year journey in America ends.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Your daddy loves you guys so much. He would not leave you unless he had to. OK?

MORRIS: And the unknown journey to Honduras begins.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: OK. That one will get to you, watching that family having to say good-bye. Adam Hernandez says he wants to return to the U.S. some day. Until then, he says he'll find a job and home in Honduras, and his family will join him.

Tough talk, name-calling. It sounds pretty serious, huh? Well, not in the hands of our Jeanne Moos.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): CNN's very own Lou Dobbs is a lightning rod for immigration controversy.

LOU DOBBS, CNN ANCHOR: Illegal alien.

MOOS: Sorry, Lou.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: The Hispanic community strikes back -- the Lou Dobbs parenting challenge. Find out what that's all about on LIVE TODAY.

And your annual physical examine may include another blood test. Routine AIDS testing coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: There are few things more challenging for expectant parents than what do you name the baby? Well, a radio station has a suggestion, coupled with a dare. How does Baby Lou Dobbs sound?

With that story, here is CNN's Jeanne Moos.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MOOS (voice-over): Having a baby, well, if you're an illegal alien, this may sound alienating to you.

LALO ALCARAZ, CO-HOST, "POCHO HOUR OF POWER": Name your baby Lou Dobbs challenge.

MOOS: CNN's very Lou Dobbs is a lightning road for immigration controversy. Sorry, Lou. And now a Latino radio show in Los Angeles is inviting illegal immigrants to name their baby after Lou.

ALCARAZ: Five hundred bucks to the first immigrant that brings us a piping fresh baby right out the oven named Lou Dobbs.

Reporter: Five hundred bucks in baby products. It sounds counterintuitive. An illegal immigrant naming their kid after a kid so against illegal immigration.

LOU DOBBS, CNN ANCHOR: Let me finish. The American dream is being ripped out of the hands of millions of U.S. citizens today.

MOOS: The DJs on the "Pocho Hour of Power" tend to refer to Lou as...

ALCARAZ: The Puffy Pundit.

MOOS: And now they are trying to take Lou's name in vain.

ALCARAZ: I'm sure people have named their children for famous American bigots, but --

ESTEBAN ZUL, CO-HOST, "POCHO HOUR OF POWER": Jane Wayne.

ALCARAZ: Archie Bunker.

MOOS: We are sure Lou would have some choice words about being lumped in with bigots. Lou wouldn't comment on this story.

ZUL: If it's a girl, can we call her Lupe Dobbs.

MOOS: Lou has plenty of fans.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We love you, Lou.

MOOS: The other day, some gathered in front of Time Warner headquarters.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Lou Dobbs, you're the man.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We love Lou Dobbs. He tells it like it is, he tells the truth. If I have a dog, I would name him Dobbs. A child, maybe Lou. That's OK. MOOS: Just name the dog Lou Dobbs.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I have respect for Lou.

MOOS: The radio show has already registered baby Lou Dobbs on the Babies'R'Us registry where you can choose a big and burp set, or maybe a booster seat for a kid whose namesake occupies an anchor chair. And though no one has come forward yet...

ALCARAZ: I believe there is an immigrant out there, there are many immigrants out there, who would willingly and lovingly name their baby Lou Dobbs.

MOOS: Why quibble about broken borders when your water is breaking?

Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: And on to our "Daily Dose" of health news.

As common as cholesterol check. Federal health experts get ready to push routine AIDS testing. The CDC plans to issue new guidelines this summer. They call for Americans aged 13 to 64 to get checked for HIV as part of their annual physical examine. The test, by the way, would be voluntary.

Right now, the CDC says one million Americans are infected with the virus. That's more than the population of Montana. A quarter of them don't even know they're infected.

On to America babies dying at a surprising rate. Save the Children says the survival rate for newborns in the U.S. ranks near the bottom among 33 modern nations. The U.S. tied with Hungary, Malta, Poland and Slovakia.

Overall, the report found there are nearly five deaths per thousand births in the U.S. Racial and income disparities are blamed for the low ranking. And these numbers may bear that out. Among African-Americans, there are nine deaths per thousand live births.

Giant drug maker Pfizer accuse accused of violating international law. "The Washington Post" says that claim is laid out in a report from Nigerian medical experts. They say Pfizer broke the law when it tested an experimental drug on children with meningitis. The report says Nigeria's government never approved those tests. Nearly 100 children reportedly were given the drug in 1996, and some of those died.

Pfizer denies the claims and says it believes the drug saved the lives.

To get your "Daily Dose" of health news online, log on to our Web site. You'll find the latest medical news, a health library and information on diet and fitness. The address, cnn.com/health. A protest with horse power.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

EGON SETTLE, HORSERIDING PROTESTER: This is Texas. I'll ride my horse if I have to.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: This Texan accepts higher gas prices not with a whimper but a whinny ahead on CNN's LIVE TODAY.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: You know we have a horse story coming up with that music. Well, this is a story of one guy who is fed up, and now he is saddling up. One Texan has gotten so sick of high gas prices that he's parked his truck and picked up the reins. He's driving home a message on horseback.

Brandon Todd is the reporter. He is with CNN affiliate WDFW.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRANDON TODD, REPORTER, WDFW (voice over): He saddles up every day and hits the open range...

SETTLE: There you go.

TODD: ... which in this case is one of the busiest commercial districts in north Texas.

SETTLE: I've got a horse. This is Texas. I'll ride my horse if I have to.

TODD: Egon Settle mounts up as a way to battle mounting fuel prices.

SETTLE: Gas will never control me.

TODD: Five weeks trotting around Arlington on Free-Falling (ph), and he's already saved nearly $500 in gas.

SETTLE: I have a lot of people that recently they'll pull over, they'll come and shake my hand and say, "I appreciate what you're doing, the statement that you're making."

TODD: This hair stylist uses the horse mainly for errands 10 miles a day, usually to the bank or even to grab a bite to eat.

SETTLE: To go, curly fries.

TODD: And with gas prices these days, the idea is catching on.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, it's painful at the pump right now. Not just me, but everyone complains about that, too. TODD (on camera): Are you going to get yourself a horse?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think so.

TODD: The next time you're at the pump getting gas, are you going to think about the horse?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm thinking about getting my bike out, actually.

TODD (voice over): When he's not galloping across town, Free- Falling (ph) is usually making a friend, or munching on a bail of hey and chasing it with a five-gallon bucket of water. At an average cost of $3 per day, Settle says he's got the best deal going. He admits he still loves to drive his truck, but he says even that doesn't feel his need for steed.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: Which brings us to the question, how much would you be able to sacrifice a little money on gas?

(BUSINESS REPORT)

KAGAN: President Bush is speaking in Sun City Center, Florida, answering a question about Iran.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Our objective is not to let them get the bomb, first of all. And I am an optimistic person and, therefore, believe I would -- I'm going to rephrase your question a different way. How are you going to stop them from getting it in the first place? Not what are you going to do if they get one.

And the first goal -- and first of all, all options -- the first option and the most important option is diplomacy. As you know, I've made the tough decision to commit American troops into harm's way. It's the toughest decision a president can ever make. But I want you to know that I tried diplomacy.

In other words, a president has got to be able to say to the American people, diplomacy didn't work. And, therefore, the first choice and a choice that I think will work with the Iranians is diplomacy. And I believe we can accomplish this through diplomacy.

Any diplomatic effort must have a common goal. And the common goal here is precisely what you said, sir, which is the Iranians should not have a nuclear weapon or the capacity to make a nuclear weapon.

Now, that wasn't always the case during my presidency. In other words, people have come together around that goal. And the countries that have come around that goal are not only, you know, our allies in Europe, but China and Russia agree.

So, the first step toward good diplomacy is to have different countries agree to a common goal, which is that the Iranians should not have the capacity and/or a nuclear weapon. So that's positive.

Secondly, we're now working on the tactics as to how to convince the Iranians through -- to get rid of their ambitions through a united front. And so what you're watching play out -- and by the way, because we live in a transparent society, everything, of course, is in the newspapers, which is fine. That's good. That's healthy. But it's not the case when you're deal with a non-transparent society.

And so we've got six countries. Condi was up there dealing with them last night sitting around the table, saying, how are we going to achieve our common goal? And so what you're watching is, of course, all of the guessing and speculating about the different positions of the six countries sitting around the table. But I believe that through hard work we will continue to keep people bound together, because there is a common interest to prevent the Iranians from getting that weapon.

They understand -- the countries understand the danger inherent with the Iranians having a weapon. They understand the consequences of a nuclear Iran, particularly when you have, you know, a president who is threatening people.

And so we're in an early stage of diplomacy at this point in time. And one of the options, of course, is to -- is to go to the United Nations Security Council. And once in the United Nations Security Council, we're trying to reach -- you know, what does the resolution say?

My -- and thank you for your kind words about Condi and myself working hard to keep the common front. It's very important for the Iranians to know they will be isolated in the world. The rest of the world, much of the world shares the same demands that those of us who are heading the -- you know, heading the involvement in negotiations say.

But you're right, this is a very difficult issue, and we will continue to work through diplomatic channels to make it clear that we mean what we say. And obviously, part of making the diplomacy work is, what will be the consequences if the Iranians decide maybe not to listen to the rational demands of the world. And you mentioned one, you know, economic sanctions. But we're -- and I'm not going to comment on that, because I think it's very important for good negotiators keeping their cards close to the vest and at the appropriate time, make it clear what our intentions are.

This is a serious issue that is taking a lot of our time, as it should. Ultimately, of course, I would hope that an American president is able to say to the Iranian people, you're free, and we look forward to having good relations with you. Liberty has an amazing way of changing the world. I speak to a group of people who know that better than most. You have seen liberty transform the world during your lifetime. You've seen -- and one of my favorite ways of explaining the effects of liberty and my belief of what liberty can do is to explain the relationship I have with the Japanese prime minister. I bet I've got some World War II vets here. I bet there are some people who know World War II vets who are here. I bet there are people here who know somebody who was called into action to fight the Japanese in World War II. And today, I report to you that the Japanese prime minister is my friend at keeping the peace, and there's a reason why. It's because after World War II, one of my predecessors, Harry S. Truman, had the belief that the United States should help that country, our enemy, become a democracy, not an American-style democracy, but a Japanese-style democracy. And because of the faith, and the capacity to freedom to change people's way of thinking, because he felt strong to that conviction, today a Japanese- style democracy is a friend of America. Freedom has the capacity to change enemies into friends.

And so in the long run, the best way to deal with problems such as the Iranian problem is to encourage people to be free. And the fundamental question is, do people want to be free? And the cornerstone of my foreign policy is the strong belief that freedom is universal. People desire to be free. One of the lessons that your generation has taught our generation, is that they're staying strong to the values that America subscribes to, human rights, human dignity, universality the universality of freedom, has changed parts of the world in incredible ways. Just look at Europe.

A long answer to an important question. And the reason I'm framing it this way is I want you to understand how I think about laying the foundation of peace so we can deal with, not only the issue that you just asked about, sir, but other issues that inevitably come up during the course of the 21st century. But freedom has the capacity to lay the foundations for peace. And we must not lose sight of the historical examples.

Take Europe, for example, there were two major conflicts in Europe, World War I and World War II. Today, Europe's whole, free and at peace because democracies don't war. That's one of the historical lessons. So on the short term, on the issue you described, we will keep our diplomacy going. We'll be knitted up as best as we possibly can with different -- with as many nations as possible, six of them at the table last night in New York, by the way. And in the meantime, it is -- we will continue to advance the freedom agenda.

Good question.

Yes, sir?

KAGAN: All right, listening to President Bush. He's speaking in Sun City Center (ph), Florida today, there really to talk about prescription drug benefits, but also taking questions. That one, what does President Bush plan to do to Iran. He said his number-one option is diplomacy, but he's not ruling out any options there.

Other political news today, we've been watching movement on Capitol Hill. The nominee to take over the CIA, General Michael Hayden. We saw him earlier with Senator Dianne Feinstein. Here we see him visiting with Republican Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist as his nominations moves on to Capitol Hill. Gas thieves they are getting rather inventive these days. Straight ahead, we'll tell you how some gas stations in St. Louis got ripped off.

And accused of driving under the influence. No, it's not what you're thinking.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm on the program and that, and I got off the drugs. I like my beer.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: He likes his beer, but an Ohio man probably wishes he had stayed home to cut the grass. We'll tell you how this one went, coming up on CNN LIVE TODAY.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: If you're a gas station owner, this one really hurts. Thousands of dollars lost in stolen gas. Happened in St. Louis, and the thief did not do it the old-fashioned way. His M.O. involved computer codes. The story now from reporter Randy Jackson with our affiliate KSDK.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RANDY JACKSON, KSDK REPORTER (voice-over): Owners of this mobile food mart at Jefferson and Delmar (ph) say their store security cameras recorded a customer stealing gas, opening the pumps locked door and reprogramming the pump to give away free fuel.

The Phillips 66 station at Linden (ph) and Boyle (ph) was hit the same way Friday.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He was overwriting some of our computer program going straight to the tank.

JACKSON: Police say the 26-year-old Chesterfield man illegally purchased a key made by the pump manufacturer Gilbarco Veeder-Root in Texas, where he went to school for accounting. Police found a key and codebooks to program the pumps in his Cadillac Escalade.

The station owner, Emron Conlody (ph)is relieved he was caught. More than 3,000 gallons of his gas was pumped before store managers noticed a problem.

Conlody says he wants the $8,000 he lost back.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We already talked to a lawyer. We're going to go after him and make sure that he got that punishment, that he don't do it to any other people.

JACKSON: Police say the suspect enlisted help from a 24-year-old acquaintance, who now also faces charges. Detective say the 26-year- old had no problem finding vulnerable pumps as he traveled to and from Texas to school.

(on camera): Owners of this gas station, who were victimized this week, have already removed the programmable keypads from the gas pumps, but it won't stop some thieves from getting inside.

(voice-over): That's because, unbelievably, the same company- issued key can unlock thousands of pumps nationwide. A Gilbarco Veeder-Root spokeswoman declined a taped interview, but did tell me the company "has been working with St. Louis police to aid in the investigation," and that "local service station operators are encouraged to change keypad codes to prevent theft." But she confirmed the same key will open thousands of pumps across the country.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: It wasn't a car, not even a truck. An Ohio man pulled off his lawnmower and hauled off to jail. Would you believe the charge? DUI. Police say the mower man was legally drunk when he hopped his grass cutter for a trip to the store

Here's reporter Belinda Prinz with our affiliate WJW.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DONDI BOWLES, FACING DUI CHARGE: What can I say? I think it's ridiculous. I'm going to get a lawyer.

BELINDA PRINZ, WJW REPORTER (voice-over): Dondi Bowles of Vermillion can't believe his fate. He spent the night in jail, charged with operating a vehicle under the influence. The vehicle? A Yard Machines gold 20-horsepower, 46-inch cut riding mower. The mower ended up at Remington Towing, a first for owner Rick Davis.

RICK DAVIS, REMINGTON TOWING: Yes, pretty much, though. Yes. It's probably the only one I've had involving a lawnmower.

PRINZ: A Vermillion patrol man had spotted Bowles on them owner at a Drug Mart parking lot and on Berkley (ph) Road close to midnight Friday. Bowles said he went there to get a new intertube for his bicycle, his main mode of transportation.

DAVIS: Went to Drug Mart, then I got back on the side, in the grass, then on the sidewalk. And three cop cars pulled me over, made me do the test and everything.

PRINZ: Bowles did not realize that under Ohio law, operating any vehicle on public property while intoxicated is a crime, whether it's a lawnmower, a car, even a bicycle.

BOWLES: I'm going, like, .14 blue and like four beers in me.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Look, I says, you got to understand that it is a motor vehicle. And he was driving on the sidewalk with it. And he was intoxicated.

BOWLES: You can't have one or two beers now and they get you for DUI. It's not like the old days. They used to take you home.

PRINZ: I asked Bowles, did he ever consider what he did was unsafe?

BOWLES: No, I had no cause -- no accidents. How can you go -- accident 10 miles per hour not even on the road. Got highlights on.

PRINZ: But Bowles is no stranger to police. This is his third DUI in six months.

(on camera): Have you tried to get help for drinking?

BOWLES: Yes, I'm on a program and that. I got off the drugs. I like my beer.

PRINZ: But it comes at a price.

BOWLES: I mean, it's not funny, no. I may have to do -- I'm on probation, too. I may have to do six months for this.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: No mowing lawns there where he's going. Lights, sirens and camera. A picture may be worth a thousand words, but can it also save lives? Live cameras inside ambulances. We'll tell you why on CNN LIVE TODAY.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: A popular spot on a California pier went up in flames early this morning. No word on the cause of the fire at the Sharkeez restaurant in Hermosa Beach, and no reports of any injuries.

Tragedy in paradise. A mother is dead after trying to save her son in the rough waters off the Hawaiian island of Kauai. Jennifer White had just rescued her 8-year-old son, then White went back in the ocean to try to save her 9-year-old. She lost consciousness, was rescued, but died later at a hospital. Her son has not been found.

Let's bring in Chad Myers to talk about the danger of riptides.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Yes, a water, Daryn, that is washed over a sandbar or a reef is eventually pushed onshore. Well, there's a gap in that reef. This is Kauai, here's Lauhuhi (ph), and basically this is where the family was. There was wind onshore at about 20 miles an hour, pushing more water onshore, and there were eight-foot waves crashing over -- well, it would just be a sandbar out there.

We'll go back to the weather graphics now and I'm going to show you how this all happens. As waves crash over a sandbar, then there's a gap in the sandbar. All the water piles up along the beach and then tries to run out in one spot. And that's the current, or the rip current, if you will. It comes in from one side and from the other. The water funnels together and then right smack dab out into the ocean. If you get caught in that flow, it is extremely, extremely swift. Here's what one looks like here from the National Weather Service of Melbourne. Dennis Decker (ph) actually took a picture of this. A minor one, but still you get the idea. Waves come over the sandbar and into this zone here. Waves come over this sandbar -- well, it's not going out here. It's only going out right there.

And if you get caught in that flow, that is a rip current, and that's what that family was caught in. The only way to wait for it is to wait it out, swim against the rip current at a 90 degree angle, then try to get back on shore as the waves may blow you back in. But if you're in that, there's no way to get out of that unless you swim one way or the other -- Daryn.

(BUSINESS REPORT)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Seconds can mean life or death in a medical emergency. One fire department is adding a new tool to ambulances, a live camera, gives doctors a sneak peek at the patients.

Details from reporter Jenny Rose with our affiliate KGUN.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JENNY ROSE, KGUN REPORTER (voice-over): When paramedics respond to an emergency, they communication with doctors at a hospital using a radio.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Doctors standing by at Ed Dorado to take them into surgery.

But that's about to change thanks to this little camera.

(on camera): This new technology sends live streaming video directly from the inside of the ambulance to UMC's trauma center, where doctors can see exactly what's happening with the patient before they even get to the hospital.

ASST. CHIEF DAVE RIDINGS, TUCSON FIRE DEPT.: That, in turn, should speed up and enhance the treatment they get once that they get once they get to the facility.

ROSE: The ambulance will send images to UMC through receivers mounted on traffic lights around town. By getting a sneak peek at a patient's injuries, doctors get ahead of the game when seconds count.

MIKE BISHOP, TUCSON FIRE DEPT.: I'm more interested than anything. I want to see exactly what this is going to do for the hospitals and us.

ROSE: It's a new tool for paramedics and doctors, but the $1.9 million system could impact all public-safety agencies in the city. The wireless system comes equipped with so much power, it could take on communications for police and traffic controllers, giving public agencies a faster, more reliable way to do their jobs.

RIDINGS: So this is almost a test ground for wireless technology.

ROSE: Firefighters say this tiny lens is just the tip of the iceberg.

BISHOP: Whatever we can do technologically to improve our job is going to benefit our patients, and that's why we're here, to take care of the community.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAGAN: And that's going to wrap up our couple of hours together. I'm Daryn Kagan.

International News is up next. Stay tuned to "YOUR WORLD TODAY," and then I'll be back with the latest headlines from the U.S. in about 20 minutes.

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