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Video Shows Texting Driver Nearly Running Over Officers, Police Say

RUTLAND (CBS) -- A texting driver came within inches of running over two police officers in Rutland Wednesday morning, authorities said, and it was all caught on video.

Rutland police detective Chris Giglio and patrolman Travis McCauley were crossing Main Street at 7:12 a.m. in a crosswalk when they were nearly struck. Police said they "narrowly escaped serious injury."

Surveillance video shot from police headquarters across the street shows the uniformed officers jumping away from the SUV as it approaches.

"We looked over and we saw the vehicle right there," Giglio said. "We had to make a maneuver to get out of the line of fire."

One officer told the driver to pull over, but she continued driving, police said.

The officers ran to their cruisers and pulled the driver over. The woman in her 40s admitted to texting with her phone at or about the time the officers were nearly hit, according to police.

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She was cited with failing to yield the right of way to a pedestrian in a crosswalk, which carries a $200 fine.

What makes it worse for Giglio is that just two weeks ago, a texting driver his wife while driving on Interstate 495.

"I'm cracking down on texting and driving, OK?" Giglio said.

A relieved Rutland police chief said he "hopes the surveillance video footage raises driver awareness."

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