5/8/21 La Salle County, TX – Angel Care Ambulance Stolen – Police Pursuit – Man Deliberately Crashed Into Texas DPS Trooper – T-Bone – Trooper Injured – Suspect Captured

May 8, 2021

www.firehouse.com

A suspect driving a stolen ambulance crashed into a Texas Department of Public Safety unit in La Salle County, according to authorities.

At about 12:34 p.m. Friday, Texas DPS received a call from the Webb County Sheriff’s Office regarding an Angel Care Ambulance Service unit that was stolen from the tourist center on mile marker 18 of Interstate 35.

An Encinal Police Department officer observed the stolen ambulance traveling north on Interstate 35 and attempted to stop the vehicle. A pursuit ensued after the driver refused to stop.

Several law enforcement agencies assisted in the pursuit. The suspect tried to avoid an attempt by authorities to stop the vehicle when he intentionally collided into a DPS trooper in his marked unit at the intersection of I-35 and FM 133 in La Salle, according to Encinal police.

DPS said the trooper had no serious injuries but was still taken to a hospital in San Antonio via air. The driver was arrested and taken to the hospital as well. DPS said they are only handling the crash investigation.

“Local, county, state and Federal agencies came together in the best, most effective way possible in this incident. The Encinal Police Department sends our best wishes and prayers for the DPS Trooper involved,” Encinal police said in a statement.