NEW ORLEANS, LA – In a shocking incident, a woman commandeered a New Orleans EMS ambulance on Tuesday night, resulting in a chaotic ride from Mid-City to the Seventh Ward with EMTs and a patient still inside. Authorities report that injuries were sustained, although details remain undisclosed.
The woman responsible, whose identity has not been revealed, was detained and subsequently taken to University Medical Center for a psychiatric evaluation. She is expected to face charges, including simple kidnapping and multiple traffic violations, once released.
The incident unfolded at the Ozanam Inn on Poydras Street around 6:50 p.m. as EMS personnel were treating a male patient for dizziness in ambulance A3282. In a sudden turn of events, the woman, unrelated to the patient, jumped into the driver’s seat and drove away.
Acting swiftly, EMS alerted local police to the unfolding situation. The stolen vehicle was eventually cornered at the junction of Broad Street and Agriculture Street, where EMS and police units managed to block its path. Eyewitness Isabella Putzke recounted the moment the woman was forcibly removed from the vehicle, witnessing the rapid response of emergency services.
Police arrived shortly at approximately 7 p.m., ending the 2.6-mile escapade. Fortunately, the ambulance and another EMS intercept vehicle sustained only minor damages.
This unusual and risky theft highlights the unpredictable challenges faced by emergency responders, prompting a timely intervention by local law enforcement to ensure safety.