Patient hijacks ambulance in Massachusetts

Police in Springfield, Massachusetts were led on a wild chase after a patient hijacked an ambulance Sunday evening.     

West Springfield Deputy Fire Chief William Flaherty said that EMT crews were transporting a man described as a “crisis patient” around 9:00 p.m.

The patient, 49-year old James Williams of West Springfield, reportedly got off the gurney and hijacked the ambulance.

Flaherty said the other EMTs jumped out of the vehicle in fear for their safety.     

Williams then took off on a wild ride though the streets of Springfield.

He crashed into several parked cars, including a Greyhound bus, before slamming into another driver head-on while on Main Street.

Luis Manuel La Raza was in his car when he saw the wild ambulance ride.

He said he pulled over like most drivers when he saw the ambulance was heading towards him on the wrong side of the road.

La Raza said the driver of the ambulance kept trying to move forward even after hitting the car on Main Street.

“I can’t remember any incidents of this ever happening before, with a patient taking over an ambulance like this,“ Deputy Chief Flaherty said.

Williams never ended up going to the hospital.

He was arrested by Springfield police.

He’s been charged with two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and larceny of a motor vehicle.

No one was hurt in the ordeal.