AUSTIN, Texas — A TxDPS trooper fatally shot the driver of a stolen Fort Worth Fire/EMS ambulance Thursday morning after the driver led law enforcement on a chase down I-35 and intentionally rammed multiple vehicles, closing the upper deck of the interstate for hours.
DPS 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 ambulance and attempted a traffic stop, activating their lights, but the driver refused to stop and began evading law enforcement, DPS said.
As the ambulance continued south near U.S. 290 in Austin, the driver began intentionally ramming multiple civilian vehicles, according to DPS. Troopers attempted to perform a PIT maneuver to stop the vehicle, but those efforts were unsuccessful, DPS said.
The ambulance continued ramming vehicles as it drove onto the upper deck of I-35.
A trooper then discharged a firearm, striking the driver, DPS said. The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene. The person’s identity had not been released.
The Texas Rangers are on scene and are actively investigating the officer-involved shooting, DPS said.
The closure was first announced by the Austin Police Department shortly before 8 a.m. Thursday. APD initially described it as an “active law enforcement” incident involving DPS and later updated its post to say the roadway would be closed from U.S. 183 into downtown Austin.
DPS said the southbound upper deck of I-35 will remain closed until the investigation is complete.
Police have urged drivers to avoid the area and use alternate routes.