Hell on Wheels: Maryland Man in Stolen Ambulance Caused 13 Hit-and-Run Crashes During Wild Police Chase, Officials Say

A man from Maryland allegedly stole an ambulance and then led state troopers on a wild car chase that ended in Washington, D.C. after numerous hit-and-run crashes, according to authorities.

Around 3:40 p.m. on Aug. 12, troopers said 30-year-old Darell T. Caldwell was driving a stolen truck from Falls Church when he caused a crash on I-66, according to the Virginia State Police.

The driver of the other vehicle was taken to a nearby hospital with minor injuries, however, Caldwell, who troopers say caused the crash, drove away.

About a minute later, troopers were called to a multi-vehicle crash on I-395 that was reportedly caused by Caldwell in the stolen vehicle, officials said.

Five people were taken to a local hospital as a result of that crash, police said. Meanwhile, Caldwell fled the scene on foot and then stole another truck.

Minutes later, police were called to a wrong-way crash on George Washington Parkway. Caldwell was reportedly driving the second stolen truck the wrong way when he ran into another vehicle, police said.

"An Arlington County Fire Department ambulance responding to I-395 came upon the crash on the GW Parkway. The ambulance stopped and the medics got out to render aid to the drivers," Virginia State Police spokesperson Corinne Geller said. "While the medics were tending to the one driver, Caldwell ran up to the ambulance and drove off in it."

Medics flagged down a state trooper to let them know their ambulance had been stolen.

The trooper was able to catch up to the ambulance, but officials said Caldwell refused to stop and a pursuit began.

Geller said, "At one point, the ambulance stopped in the road. As the trooper was getting out of his patrol car, Caldwell put the ambulance in reverse and rammed the state police vehicle and fled the scene."

Caldwell then took the I-395 Express Lanes and entered Washington, D.C. and the pursuit continued, troopers said.

The suspect ran head-on into a parked vehicle, police said, and the person inside the vehicle suffered minor injuries.

Police took Caldwell into custody and he was transported to a nearby hospital for medical evaluation.

Never miss a story — sign up for the Front Page Detectives newsletter. Be on the scene the moment news breaks.

Caldwell has pending charges from local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, officials said.

Geller said, "At this time, state police have accounted for and are investigating 13 hit-and-run crashes committed by the stolen ambulance.”

Authorities said no law enforcement were injured and there were no reports of serious injuries from the crashes.