Maryland Man Arrested After Allegedly Stealing Ambulance, Causing Multiple Collisions

A man from Brandywine, Maryland, identified as Darell T. Caldwell, 30, was involved in a series of vehicular incidents on Saturday, according to Virginia State Police. Caldwell allegedly crashed a stolen vehicle in Arlington County, Virginia, before stealing an ambulance that was responding to the scene. He then reportedly collided with 13 other vehicles as he drove into the District.

The series of events began when Caldwell, driving a stolen truck, was involved in a two-vehicle collision on the eastbound lanes of Interstate 66, near mile marker 74. State troopers responded to the crash at around 3:40 p.m. Caldwell reportedly fled the scene, leaving the other driver with minor injuries.

Shortly after, officers were called to another crash scene in the northbound lanes of Interstate 395 near exit 10. The same stolen truck was reportedly involved in this incident, and Caldwell again allegedly fled the scene on foot.

While fire officials from Arlington County were attending to another crash allegedly involving Caldwell on the George Washington Memorial Parkway, he reportedly stole an ambulance and drove away. Medics at the scene flagged down a state trooper to stop the stolen ambulance.

According to a statement from the Virginia State Police, a pursuit ensued when the ambulance failed to stop for the trooper. At one point, Caldwell allegedly put the ambulance in reverse and rammed the state police vehicle before fleeing the scene.

During the pursuit, the stolen ambulance reportedly entered I-395 and made its way into the District, colliding head-on with a parked vehicle near the intersection of 14th and D Streets in Northwest. An unidentified person inside the parked vehicle sustained minor injuries.

The stolen ambulance was involved in multiple hit-and-run incidents during the pursuit, including another collision with the trooper’s patrol car. State police are currently investigating 13 hit-and-run crashes allegedly committed by the stolen ambulance.

Caldwell was eventually arrested and taken to the hospital for treatment of his injuries. He faces charges from local and federal law enforcement, with additional charges pending from Virginia state. No serious injuries have been reported from the series of hit-and-runs, and no injuries were reported among law enforcement. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.