CHASE INVOLVING STOLEN AMBULANCE IN COLORADO CO. ENDS IN CRASH

  

Colorado County authorities were involved in a pursuit Tuesday morning after an ambulance was stolen by a patient.

According to Colorado County EMS, medics were called to assist law enforcement regarding a subject who claimed she had been kidnapped by two men and locked in the trunk of a car on the side of Highway 90 near Borden.

EMS did not report finding either of the men described by the patient, but they ultimately transported her to the Columbus Community Hospital and left her in the care of hospital staff.  According to EMS, the patient exited her room and walked out of the facility, and by the time staff realized she had left, she had gained access to an ambulance in the emergency room bay and fled the hospital. 

The subject led law enforcement on a chase lasting nearly half an hour before authorities deployed spike strips, causing the ambulance to lose control and crash on County Road 101, south of Columbus off of Highway 71.

The woman, who has not yet been identified, was taken into custody and transported back to the Columbus Community Hospital for evaluation.  EMS says she will be charged by the Colorado County Sheriff’s Office with Theft of Property, Evading Arrest/Detention with a Vehicle, and False Alarm/Report.

EMS says none of its personnel or anyone from the public were injured, but the stolen ambulance suffered major damage. 

EMS Director Michael Furrh said his department is grateful for the quick response from law enforcement in resolving this matter safely.