MIAMI (AP) — The Florida detective who was stabbed by a prisoner he was transporting near Dallas says he was caught by surprise when Alberto Morales attacked him with a sharp piece from a pair of eyeglasses.

Miami-Dade Police Department Det. Jaime Pardinas said Thursday he and the prisoner engaged in a hand to hand fight inside the vehicle. He credited 28 years of police experience and training with his survival.

Pardinas suffered deep stab wounds to the neck, shoulder and back and a collapsed lung. He was released from the hospital and returned to Miami after surgery confirmed no severe injuries.

Pardinas and another detective were transporting Morales from Miami to Nevada to serve a 30-year-to-life sentence for sexual assault. Morales was fatally shot when he resisted arrest after a five-day manhunt.