Michigan: Van Buren County deputy speaks about being struck by a semi on I-94

Imagine being out of your car, being hit by a speeding semi and then walking away from it without even a broken bone. That's exactly what one deputy did in West Michigan just days ago. IF you ask him what happened, Loren Tarner will say he just has a few aches and pains. You'd never guess that just three days earlier the Van Buren County deputy was hit, full speed, by a semi.

The nine-year veteran of the department was called to the pile-up near Hartford on Sunday afternoon where one crash in white-out conditions quickly turned into three.

"As soon as I started assessing the first accident I heard the crashing of cars behind me," said Deputy Tarner.

Tarner was doing what he could to help those stranded along the interstate, many of them standing outside their cars in single digit temperatures.

"I heard a little girl crying in a car, and I walked up to that car to talk to her," said Dep. Tarner. "I was trying to speak with them, comfort them, comfort the little girl and I just heard this crashing and the semi-truck was coming right towards us."

Tarner says he tried to outrun the truck, but there was simply nowhere to go.

"I was just running," said Tarner. "I was flying through the air, and when I hit the ground I was so glad I could see."

Landing between a car and another semi, Tarner was able to stand up and walk away, thankful his injuries weren't more serious. Tarner is also quite grateful for his quick reaction, something he credits to his police training.

"You can't just focus on one thing," said Tarner. "You have to focus on yourself too."