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Stolen Fort Worth Ambulance Chase Ends in Fatal I-35 Shooting in Austin

Stolen Fort Worth Ambulance Chase Ends in Fatal I-35 Shooting in Austin - Car Accidents
Thursday, August 13, 2026
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Fort Worth

This commentary is based on local news reporting. For complete details about this incident, please read the original article linked below. The information provided here is for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice.

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This commentary references a reported news item. Click below to read the complete original article.

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Wooley Law Takeaway

A driver who allegedly stole a Fort Worth Fire/EMS ambulance was fatally shot by a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper Thursday morning after a lengthy chase down Interstate 35 that included the suspect allegedly ramming multiple civilian vehicles in Austin, according to DPS.

DPS said troopers were notified at approximately 6:30 a.m. on Thursday, August 13, 2026, that the stolen ambulance was traveling southbound on I-35 in Williamson County. Troopers located the ambulance and attempted a traffic stop, but the driver allegedly refused to stop and continued south toward Austin.

As the ambulance approached U.S. 290 in Austin, DPS said the driver began intentionally ramming civilian vehicles. Troopers attempted a PIT maneuver but were unable to stop the ambulance. The vehicle continued onto the upper deck of I-35, where DPS says it kept striking vehicles.

A DPS trooper then fired at the ambulance driver, striking the suspect. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene. The suspect's identity had not been released in the initial report. The Texas Rangers are investigating the officer-involved shooting.

The incident shut down the southbound upper deck of I-35 for hours. Austin police said the closure extended from U.S. 183 into downtown Austin while the investigation continued.

Innocent Drivers Hit During a Police Chase May Have Injury Claims

The most important civil-injury issue arising from this incident may involve the motorists whose vehicles were allegedly rammed by the stolen ambulance.

According to DPS, the ambulance driver intentionally struck multiple civilian vehicles while attempting to evade law enforcement.

If drivers or passengers were injured, a complete investigation may need to identify:

  • Every civilian vehicle struck by the ambulance

  • The sequence and location of each impact

  • Injuries suffered by each driver and passenger

  • Dashcam and traffic-camera footage

  • DPS vehicle and body-camera recordings

  • Radio and dispatch communications

  • Ambulance GPS or telematics information

  • Vehicle event data

  • Witness statements

  • Crash-scene photographs

  • Available insurance coverage

The Wooley Law Firm has previously discussed similar evidence issues following a Fort Worth chase-related crash involving entrapment. That incident was unrelated, but it illustrates why pursuit-related wrecks can require preservation of dashcam footage, police communications, vehicle data, witnesses, and other evidence.

Does the Fact That the Ambulance Belonged to Fort Worth Matter?

Potentially, but ownership of the ambulance does not automatically mean the City of Fort Worth is civilly responsible for injuries caused after someone allegedly stole the vehicle.

Investigators would first need to determine exactly how the ambulance was taken, where it was located when stolen, whether the person had permission to operate it, and whether any separate negligent act by another party contributed to the incident.

Those questions should be evaluated from actual evidence rather than assuming that vehicle ownership alone creates liability.

For injured motorists, the more immediate issue may be identifying all available insurance coverage connected to the crash.

What If the Fleeing Driver Had No Auto Insurance?

Because the person driving the ambulance was allegedly operating a stolen vehicle, ordinary liability-insurance questions may become complicated.

If an injured motorist cannot recover sufficient compensation from the responsible driver's insurance or another applicable liability policy, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage may become important depending on the policy language and circumstances.

The Wooley Law Firm's uninsured and underinsured motorist attorney resource explains that UM/UIM coverage may protect an injured person when an at-fault driver has no insurance, has inadequate insurance, or when liability coverage is otherwise unavailable.

Insurance coverage should be investigated carefully before an injured person assumes there is no source of recovery.

Police Pursuit Evidence Can Be Critical

Chase-related crashes can involve evidence controlled by several government agencies.

In this case, potentially important evidence may include:

  • DPS dash-camera footage

  • Trooper body-camera recordings

  • Pursuit communications

  • Dispatch recordings

  • PIT-maneuver information

  • TxDOT traffic-camera footage

  • The ambulance's GPS data

  • Photographs of civilian vehicles allegedly struck

  • Witness videos

  • Crash reconstruction evidence

DPS says troopers attempted to stop the stolen ambulance and later attempted a PIT maneuver before the ambulance continued onto the I-35 upper deck.

The Wooley Law Firm has also previously covered a fatal Fort Worth police chase crash, discussing how pursuit-related collisions may raise questions involving the fleeing driver's actions, speed, roadway conditions, pursuit decisions, and the safety of innocent motorists.

Injured by a Fleeing Driver or Stolen Vehicle in Texas?

An innocent motorist injured by someone fleeing police can suddenly face emergency treatment, vehicle damage, lost wages, and complicated questions about who will pay the claim.

If you were injured in an Austin I-35 crash, police-chase collision, stolen-vehicle accident, fleeing-driver wreck, multi-vehicle collision, or other serious Texas car accident, you may have the right to pursue compensation from all legally responsible sources.

The Wooley Law Firm represents people injured in serious motor-vehicle crashes throughout Texas. Its car accident lawyer resource addresses serious highway crashes, evidence preservation, insurance issues, and catastrophic injury claims.

Call (214) 699-6524 for a free consultation. You don’t pay unless we win. The firm's current website lists that phone number and free-consultation availability.

This article is based on preliminary information from the Texas Department of Public Safety, Austin police, and CBS Austin. The investigation remains ongoing, and additional or different facts may become available. References to the ambulance driver's alleged conduct reflect statements attributed to law enforcement and are not independent findings by The Wooley Law Firm. Nothing in this article is intended to state that the City of Fort Worth, DPS, any trooper, or another governmental entity bears civil liability. This article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice.

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Disclaimer: The information on this page is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Wooley Law monitors publicly available news sources and provides independent commentary on accident law and safety topics relevant to the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Any summaries or references to news stories are based on publicly reported information and may not reflect the full facts of any case. Wooley Law is not affiliated with the individuals or parties mentioned unless explicitly stated. If you have been injured in an accident, please consult with a qualified attorney regarding your specific legal situation.

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