AUSTIN, Texas (KWTX) – A Texas state trooper fatally shot the driver of a stolen Fort Worth Fire/EMS ambulance Thursday morning after a chase down Interstate 35 that left multiple vehicles rammed and the upper deck of the highway closed for hours, according to CBS Austin.
The Texas Department of Public Safety said troopers were notified at 6:30 a.m. that a Fort Worth Fire/EMS ambulance had been stolen and was traveling southbound on I-35 in Williamson County.
Troopers located the vehicle and attempted a traffic stop, but the driver refused to pull over and began evading law enforcement, according to DPS.
As the ambulance continued south near U.S. 290 in Austin, the driver began intentionally ramming multiple civilian vehicles, CBS Austin reports.
Troopers attempted a PIT maneuver to stop the vehicle, but those efforts were unsuccessful, according to DPS.
The ambulance continued ramming vehicles as it drove onto the upper deck of I-35, according to CBS Austin.
A trooper then discharged a firearm, striking the driver. The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene. The person’s identity had not been released, per CBS Austin.
The Austin Police Department first announced the closure shortly before 8 a.m. Thursday, initially describing it as an “active law enforcement” incident involving DPS. APD later updated that the roadway would be closed from U.S. 183 into downtown Austin.
The Texas Rangers are on scene and actively investigating the officer-involved shooting, according to CBS Austin.
DPS said the southbound upper deck of I-35 will remain closed until the investigation is complete. Drivers are urged to avoid the area and use alternate routes, CBS Austin says.
This is a developing story.
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