8/31/23 Rusk, TX – San Augustine County Ambulance Stolen From Hospital – Police Chase – Ambulance Crashed Into Gas Pumps At Convenience Store – Suspect Flown To Hospital With Injuries

The man who officials say crashed a stolen ambulance into gas pumps at a Cherokee County convenience store Thursday afternoon was flown to the hospital and is expected to face charges. 

According to the city of Lufkin, the man, who has not been identified yet, walked away from CHI St. Luke’s Memorial Lufkin after being taken there by a family member.

Officials said he stole a San Augustine County EMS ambulance from the emergency room parking lot. The San Augustine EMS crew were inside the hospital with a patient at the time.

Officials were notified of the incident around 12:40 p.m. and within three minutes, police were in pursuit of the ambulance on Loop 287. The man headed north to U.S. 69 and continued toward Pollok at speeds of around 80 mph.

According to the Rusk Fire Department, the ambulance wrecked at Kim’s, located at the intersection of Hwy. 69 and Loop 343.

Following the crash, he was later air-lifted from the scene with unknown injuries. Officials said warrants are expected to be served later because of his injuries.