EL PASO, Texas -- An ABC-7 crew covering a crash on I-10 on Monday unwillingly became part of the story.

Motorists stuck in traffic witnessed veteran journalist Darren Hunt and photojournalist Ric Dupont being handcuffed and detained.

Just after 1:30 p.m., the two arrived to report on a flipped semi-truck on I-10 West near the Sunland Park exit. They parked on the left shoulder of the eastbound lanes of I-10 as witnesses ran toward victims to offer help.

A pregnant woman sat on the side of the freeway, sobbing, and, according to a witness, several men in military fatigues helped pull the driver of the semi-truck out of the cab.

As emergency crews tended to the driver, police Sgt. Raul Ramirez told the ABC-7 crew from across the barrier to leave. Several people and half a dozen cars were also stopped on the eastbound shoulder.

Darren continued to try to get information from the men in fatigues when the situation began to escalate. The sergeant jumped the barrier and told Darren to get in the truck (an ABC-7 news unit) and leave, then held Darren with his hands behind his back to the side of the truck belonging to a witness that was parked on the shoulder.

"I'm not doing anything," Darren said repeatedly.

Darren and Ric were handcuffed, read their Miranda rights and taken to the Westside Regional Command Center. They were released within a few minutes. The entire incident lasted about an hour.

The El Paso Police Department has launched an investigation.

"It's unfortunate that any time the member of the public or the news media feels that they've been treated unfairly by any member of our department, and so, that's a very serious type of allegation - something that we have to ensure that we investigate completely, and that's what we're doing here and conducting an investigation," said El Paso police spokesman Javier Sambrano said.

Two members of the El Paso Police Department reviewed the video at ABC-7 studios and took a copy for Police Chief Greg Allen. Their department of internal affairs is reviewing the incident.

ABC-7 reporter Darren Hunt and photojournalist Ric Dupont will be contacting the department of internal affairs as a result of the incident.

Sgt. Ramirez has been placed on administrative duty pending the outcome of the investigation.

Police ask anyone who witnessed the incident to call them at 564-7000.

Watch the video for yourself by clicking on the video link with this story.

Written for KVIA.com by Web Producer Annette Arrigucci

Viewer e-mails about this story:

I just saw your video of Darren Hunt getting arrested. This is ridiculous!!! I really hope that officer gets seriously reprimanded, if not fired, for harassing Darren like that. This only goes to show the people of El Paso how there are a couple of bad seeds out there who give the EPPD a bad name. Shame on him.

-Gus, West El Paso

I watched and saw your reporter get handcuffed. It was great. About time someone let you know you are not above the law. The police were trying to investigate an accident, and the reporter got in the way. They should have hauled him away and charged him with hindering an investigation. They would me. He's no better.

- Al, Northeast El Paso

After watching the video with reporter Darren Hunt, from what I saw, the El Paso Police Dept officer definitely overreacted. I know its a stressful job, but I don't think his reactions were necessary.

-Daniel, West El Paso

Luckily the camera was rolling, far too many times El Paso's finest abuse their power!!!!

-No name given

This is not the first time that our police "steps over the line." They have a lack of adjustment to certain situations. They are not trained to be a "Friend and Helper" to the Community. The Officer who reacted in this way to the Reporters should leave the Force. Are we in a Communistic Country or what? Our freedom is going down the drain. Isn't it enough that we only see and hear in the Media what we should see and hear and not what we want to see and hear. Take UNIVISION as an example! That's what I call News!!

-UHB, East El Paso

I am very disappointed in today's incident with the ELP Police "SGT" yelling and ordering the KVIA reporter to leave, to get in the vehicle and leave, then forcibly handcuffing both reporter & cameraperson for NO APPARENT reason! This is absolutely uncalled for, an outrageous display of anger and uncontrolled emotion on the part of this SGT. As the SGT was totally out of order, and disrespectful to an innocent citizen who had done nothing, and as well, was only doing his job (as many law-enforcement officers will state under these similar circumstances. Never did the SGT state why the KVIA crew couldn't remain there and continue the interview. This officer is a disgrace to our very fine ELP Police Dept. He should be severely reprimanded, reduced in rank, released from active duty for a period of time, sent to an anger management course, then summarily fired! I'm saddened.

-Mike, West El Paso

When I was watching the news reporter being treated unfairly I was not really that shocked. Unfortunately I don't feel this is an isolated incident. This was caught on tape and there is proof for others to see how police officers treat innocent people on many occasions when a camera is not around. This should be a wake up call for all you police officers who abuse your power. This officer should be fired!

- Pat, East El Paso

Dear Darren and Crew, I am sorry for what you had to experience at the hands of a jerk of a cop. El Paso has a lot of good officers in this town and this fool only made it harder for those good and dedicated cops. I hope that they suspend him without pay or fire him. We don't need cops like him on our police force.

-Amanda, Northeast El Paso

The officer who arrested Darren & Ric today requires more training. He was out of control and does not work well (doing his duties) under pressure.

-Robe, East El Paso

That idiot cop who was manhandling Darren Hunt was very out of line and should be severely disciplined. Mr. Hunt did nothing to provoke this attack. If he behaved that way with a well known reporter, what is he capable of doing to the average joe? Clearly this bad cop is a danger to the community and should be taken off the streets.

-Dora, East El Paso

I watched the video about the roll over incident and Darren Hunt. Obviously when Mr. Hunt was told to leave he should have left and not said that he was going to interview someone first. The police have to think of everybody's safety. Sometimes the media, All Media, hide behind the Constitution and say "the public has a right to know." The policeman has a job to do also and Mr. Hunt arrogantly assumed that just because he works for the media that the rules don't apply to him, as many other reporters do. Shame on him. It is also obvious that after he was told to put his hands behind his back that he then and only then changed his tune and said he was going to leave and you could plainly see that the officer had trouble placing his hands behind his back because Mr. Hunt was being resistant although not wildly, but using enough force to give the officer resistance, and when the camera pulled off of him slightly removed his hand from behind his back and looked into the camera and said "I'm not doing anything." I saw it and so did the others in my home. Again, Mr. Hunt, shame on you and your arrogance.

-S Thomas, Northeast El Paso

Well, let me begin by saying that the events of Darren Hunt's unfortunate detention is appalling but at least you all have it on tape the way EPPD truly treats the public. I have witnessed officers on the freeway pushing and shoving people being pulled over for traffic citiations. This is truly embarrassing for the police department and there is nothing in my opinion that will make me think otherwise. The proof is in the pudding and in this case on Mr. Hunt's wrists and on all the footage shot during this ordeal. To Mr. Hunt, thank you for delivering the latest news on happenings all around the city. Although you were doing you job apparently the police officer felt it was his job to "enforce" the law as he "thought" it should be addressed. He was wrong in the way he treated you and who knows how many before you because you probably are not the last. Thanks again, Mr. Hunt, as many El Pasoans appreciate the news you provide.

-Victoria, East El Paso

Regarding the incident between Darren Hunt and the EPPD Sergeant, that was his ticket to retirement. I can't think of any other reason for this kind of conduct by the officer except except that he's looking to get fired and this was his best shot at getting it done. People like him do not belong in a public servant uniform especially one which belongs to the fine El Paso Police Department. Shame on him and shame on the Department if this person isn't at best reduced from a supervisory position.

-Rocky, West El Paso

Sorry but I had to add my 2 cents on this one. I enjoy Darren's reports on Channel 7 but today he dropped the ball. That officer was conducting and investigation at a live scene. No one should be in this area without permission of same. Darren and the photographer were told to leave. Darren stated after the direct order to depart that he was going to interview someone that was part of the investigation. He did not leave when told and your photographer kept the camera rolling hoping for some high drama and he got it. But he too was in violation of the officers order to depart. They could have waited for other opportunities. Sometimes the press takes to many assumed liberties. Remember freedom of the press is equally available at the nearest exit.

-William, East El Paso

I honestly believe that the incident involving the police officer and crew team could've been avoided if the crew team would've listened to the officer in the first place. For one, the officer was doing his job of keeping anyone out of harm's way around the roll over accident . When the reporter said "he can shoot if he wants to...", was a very childish remark on his behalf, and the officer did take extreme measures in mishandling both the camera man and Mr. Hunt. As citizens, we must just obey the authorities no matter what, news teams and all.

- David, Lower Valley

I am not surprised to see this police officer abusing his powers. I am glad it was caught on video to show citizens of El Paso how abusive police officers really are. I am sure this officer is not going to get reprimanded because El Paso's finest cover up for each other!

-David, East El Paso

The incident with your 6pm news with your reporter and the camera man. My opinion, "FIRE" the police officer, no desk duty, nothing, just FIRE him. There should not even be an investigation, you have it all on tape. This happened to me, I was roughed by a police officer, maybe worse. Nothing was done because I didn't have it on camera. Again, "FIRE" the officer and then sue him.

-No first name given, Eastside

This confrontation with the Darren Hunt and the officer from EPPD is disturbing. This civil servant is totally out of line. I hope Chief Allen looks at this very closely and acts accordingly. I was stunned; there was absolutely no reason for this officer to go off like this. He wasn't even on the same side of the accident. I would take a close look at the past history of this officer. This is probably not an isolated incident. He acted like a thug. I hope KVIA will support Darren as much as possible. He didn't deserve to be treated in this manner.

-Karen, East El Paso

Though you and others might see it otherwise, from my perspective and given the magnitude of the incident, I see a police officer trying to maintain order, to speed traffic flow, and to minimize the chance of further mishaps. I am not sure this was the ideal time or place to conduct an interview. Get out of the way and let police officers do their job.

-No first name given, West El Paso

Darren Hunt is a disgrace. He should have been arrested and fired.

-Jay, East El Paso

Leave it to KVIA to mislead the public with their coverage. In reference to the incident with Darren Hunt and his camera man being detained by Sgt. Ramirez: How many times does Mr. Hunt have to be told to "get in his truck and leave"? He was given a lawful directive at least 5 times to leave an area where he should not have been to begin with. The news media frequently over-steps their own bounds by thinking that they can ignore, disobey or disregard police officers, traffic barriers, crime scene tape, or whatever else because they "have a job to do". After being ordered to leave multiple times, Mr. Hunt has the nerve to ignore Sgt. Ramirez and say, "We need to interview this guy". Then to argue with the officer by saying that his camera man can, "shoot if he wants to". Mr. Hunt could have kept that entire episode from happening if he had approached the officer and asked respectfully, "Excuse me, Sarge....where do you have the media staging for this incident?" Or, "Excuse me, sir...will it be ok to get some video from here?" Sgt. Ramirez, who is well-respected and very professional, would not have had to react the way he did if Mr. Hunt had not over-stepped his bounds. If the police tell you to do something, do it the first time. If you think they were wrong, go to the station later and state your mind then...respectfully. The police have a job to do, and it becomes even harder when discourteous drivers, news media and others who don't pay attention complicate matters at an already tense scene. And, by the way

Mr. Hunt, when an officer puts your arm behind your back, don't pull away...thats a good way to escalate the situation. Cooperate next time. But then again, I guess if you were cooperative and respectful, you wouldn't have been detained in the first place, huh? Way to go, EPPD! And, thanks KVIA, for misleading the public, creating distrust between the public and the police, and only telling half of the story, as usual.

-Jason, West El Paso

On the Darren Hunt case: Just goes to show you these guys are not what they are painted out to be. Darren was not creating a safety hazard. The officer should have seen that. This is a bad case of abuse of power. It is a wonder Darren was not accused of trying to run him over.

-Antonio, East El Paso

I can't believe how your staff was treated by a law enforcement officer this afternoon. They were walking away and all

Darren did was state to the officer that they had a right to shoot the scene. I feel that the officer needs to be suspended till the investigation is complete. He was rude and it shows people that because he is an a uniform that he feels he can treat people however he pleases. It was just wrong and unneeded, did he really think that the news wouldn't air it on TV and it gives a bad vision of the police department.

-TQ, Las Cruces

Perhaps this officer's behavior wouldn't be so absolutely shocking if there weren't other people pulled on the same side

Mr. Hunt was WATCHING the accident! Why did the officer let spectators stay but kicked out the news crew, who was there to inform the rest of us?

-Claire, Central El Paso

Barney Fife. That is what the officer that arrested the news 7 crew makes all the E.P.P.D. police officers look like. This is unacceptable. This officer should be reprimanded and should apologize to these fine folks. There are people out there that don't like the police and behavior like this makes their point. Thanks and ADIOS.

-Rafael, East El Paso

I just finished watching the video of Darren and Rick's arrests. Unfortunately, I think that the police officer overreacted, especially where Rick was concerned. Accidents like today's occur all too often and police officers need to use more restraint when dealing with their aftermath.

-Carolyn, West El Paso

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