Fatal Stolen Ambulance Chase
Stolen Fort Worth ambulance leads police on 200-mile chase, driver fatally shot in Austin
Key Points
Origin of theft: The ambulance was stolen from Fort Worth Fire Department Station 4 on Mansfield Road (Old Mansfield Road) in Fort Worth, before being tracked to Austin.
Pursuit path and end: After being spotted southbound on I-35 in Williamson County, the chase moved into central Austin and culminated near the 41st Street exit where DPS vehicles boxed in the ambulance; the vehicle then continued onto the upper deck of I-35.
PIT maneuver attempt and shooting: Law enforcement attempted a PIT maneuver to stop the ambulance, but it was unsuccessful, and a Texas DPS trooper discharged their weapon, fatally striking the driver.
Timeline and injuries: The incident was reported around 6:30 a.m.; Austin-Travis County EMS transported one adult with minor injuries around 7:10 a.m.; upper-deck closures affected I-35 for several hours.
A stolen Fort Worth Fire Department ambulance sparked a multi-agency chase down nearly 200 miles of Interstate 35, ending in a fatal shooting on the upper deck of I-35 in central Austin, according to CBS News. A Texas DPS trooper shot and killed the driver after the suspect rammed multiple civilian cars and evaded a law enforcement stop attempt.
The incident began around 6:30 a.m. when the ambulance was taken from Fort Worth Fire Station 4 on Mansfield Road, KWTX reported. By 7:10 a.m., Austin-Travis County EMS had transported one adult with minor injuries to a hospital. I-35's southbound upper deck shut down for several hours.
Ambulance Stolen from Fort Worth, Tracked 200 Miles South
The Fort Worth Fire Department ambulance was taken from Station 4 on Mansfield Road early Wednesday morning, according to CBS News. Law enforcement first spotted the vehicle heading southbound on I-35 in Williamson County, north of Austin. The suspect covered roughly 200 miles before authorities caught up with him in the heart of the city.
Texas DPS troopers, the Fort Worth Fire Department, and Austin Police all joined the pursuit, KWTX reported. Austin-Travis County EMS also responded to provide medical care. The multi-agency response stretched across two major Texas cities and multiple counties.
Driver Rams Cars, Escapes PIT Maneuver Before Trooper Opens Fire
During the chase, the suspect intentionally rammed multiple civilian vehicles, according to Idaho News. Law enforcement attempted a PIT maneuver — a technique where officers use their car to spin a fleeing vehicle to a stop — but it failed to end the chase. The ambulance continued onto the upper deck of I-35.
Near the 41st Street exit in central Austin, DPS vehicles boxed in the ambulance, KWTX reported. A Texas DPS trooper then discharged their weapon, fatally striking the driver. The suspect died at the scene. The ambulance rolled forward onto the upper deck before coming to a stop.
One Injured, I-35 Closed for Hours as Rangers Investigate
Austin-Travis County EMS transported one adult with minor injuries to a hospital at around 7:10 a.m., according to CBS News. Officials said they are still determining how those injuries occurred. The suspect's identity had not been released as of early Wednesday morning.
The southbound upper deck of I-35 from US-183 into downtown Austin closed for several hours, KWTX reported. The Texas Rangers and DPS are leading the investigation. Officials described the situation as still developing and said more details would be released as the inquiry continues.
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