A Morrison County sheriff's deputy suffered life-threatening injuries Saturday night when he was struck by a vehicle near a country music festival in Pierz, Minn.
The Minnesota State Patrol says Brady Joe Pundsack, 26, of Flensburg was directing traffic at the time on Hwy. 25 outside Freedom Fest. He was taken to St. Cloud Hospital.
On Monday, Pundsack was recuperating, and Sheriff Shawn Larsen reported Pundsack's condition had been upgraded to stable.
"After a short visit with him today we are able to tell you he is in good spirits and showing improvement," Larson said in a statement. "Yesterday, surgery was performed on his neck, which was successful and thankfully he was able to take a few steps last night and this morning."
Neither the 17-year-old driving the vehicle nor his 16-year-old passenger was injured in Saturday's crash, according to an incident report.
Larson said his agency appreciates the public's support of the deputy, and that they and Pundsack's family were grateful for the care he received at the scene and at St. Cloud Hospital.
"We appreciate the thoughts and prayers for Deputy Pundsack, his family and everyone involved in this incident," Larson said.
Freedom Fest organizers, too, acknowledged the deputy's injuries in a Facebook post after the event.
"We would like to send our thoughts and prayers to the officer and his family that was involved in the accident last night," the post said. "We are all praying for him."
