Colorado Co. EMS Stolen Crashes After Pursuit

On Tuesday Morning, A Colorado County Ambulance was stolen from Columbus Community Hospital by a mental health patient, leading law enforcement on a 20- minute pursuit before crashing on County Road 101 near Highway 71.
The incident began when EMS personnel delivered a patient to CCH from a call outside of Borden off Highway 90. EMS were called to assist law enforcement for a subject who stated she was kidnapped by 2 males and was left in the trunk of a car parked on the side of the highway. Deputies arrived on scene and requested EMS. EMS transported the patient to CCH and transferred care to the staff. It was at this time that the patient exited her room and walked out of the facility. About the time CCH staff as well as EMS staff realized she was exiting the building, the subject gained access to the 2019 Dodge ambulance in the ER bay and departed the hospital, prompting immediate response from Columbus Police Department, Colorado County Sheriff's Department and Texas DPS.
Law enforcement pursued the stolen ambulance for approximately 20-25 minutes before the subject lost control and crashed on County Road 101, after spike strips were deployed to deflate the tires. EMS again, responded to the scene to evaluate and assess the patient, who was swiftly taken into custody by our law enforcement partners, and transported to Columbus Community Hospital for evaluation.
No EMS personnel or members of the public were injured during the incident. The ambulance sustained significant damage, and the extent of repairs is currently being assessed.