A 43-year-old Michigan man is behind bars after deputies say he swiped a Green County ambulance and led them on an 11.5-mile pursuit through southern Wisconsin early Sunday, topping out at about 55 mph before the rig finally gave out. Despite the unusual spectacle of an ambulance in the role of getaway car, authorities say no other vehicles were damaged and no injuries were reported.
Deputies with the Green County Sheriff’s Office were called around 2:30 a.m. Sunday to the area of State Highway 11 west of County Highway KK in the Town of Monroe for a report of a man sitting on the side of the road who had requested medical help. When Green County EMS arrived, the man walked away from deputies, climbed into the ambulance, and drove eastbound on State Highway 11, triggering a pursuit by deputies, according to law enforcement accounts reported by WMTV.
Chase and Arrest Details
The pursuit continued into the Brodhead area, where Brodhead police tried to stop the runaway ambulance using a tire-deflation device near Mt. Hope Road. One tire on the ambulance was punctured, but the vehicle kept rolling, continuing onto State Highway 81 before turning onto Clarence Lane, where it eventually became disabled.
No other vehicles were hit during the incident and no injuries were reported, WMTV noted. Deputies say the suspect refused to follow commands and ran into a residential yard, where he was incapacitated with a Taser. He was then evaluated at a local hospital before being booked into the Green County Jail.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, the man faces several possible charges, including operating a motor vehicle without the owner’s consent, fleeing and eluding law enforcement, resisting and obstructing law enforcement, and disorderly conduct.
Not an Isolated Case
While stolen ambulances are still rare, Wisconsin has seen a few similar high-stakes incidents. In February, a Wood County man allegedly took an ambulance while paramedics were treating a patient and led officers on a pursuit that ended only after stop sticks were used, according to WSAW.
What Happens Next
Authorities have identified the Green County suspect as Shannon A. Szukala, 43, of Middleville, Michigan. He remains in Green County custody as the case moves through the local court system. As with any arrest, Szukala is presumed innocent until proven guilty, and the county’s legal process will determine the outcome of the case and any potential penalties.
