PHOENIX — Police said a woman who stole and crashed an ambulance also tried to punch a police officer after she was taken into in custody following the crash.
Police have identified the woman involved in Tuesday's crash as Valerie Campbell.
Police said prior to the crash, Campbell was taken to John C. Lincoln Hospital’s emergency room by the Phoenix Fire Department for a medical call.
After Campbell arrived at the hospital, security cameras allegedly captured her as she left the hospital through the front entrance, went back out to the ambulance, got inside, and drove away in it.
Phoenix Fire Captain Todd Keller with the Phoenix Fire Department said the driver drove about three miles north on Cave Creek Road before crashing into other vehicles, including a U-Haul truck, before swerving into oncoming traffic and crashing into a wall near Cactus Road.
Video from the scene showed debris from the multiple crashes littering the roadway. The ambulance itself was also severely damaged.
Shortly after the crash, the woman was taken into custody by Phoenix police.
Authorities said one of the unsuspecting drivers was taken to the hospital in stable condition.
Captain Keller said he believes the situation could have been much worse.
“Very lucky outcome with how many vehicles were involved. It's a super busy intersection,” he said.
According to court documents, after Campbell was placed in the back of the police cruiser, she was able to get one of her hands out of the handcuffs. When an officer approached the woman to see if she was injured, she allegedly swung at the officer with a clenched fist. The officer was not struck and was able to get the woman back into handcuffs, according to court records.
She was taken to the Maricopa County jail for booking.
Campbell is facing charges for the following:
- Stolen vehicle
- Aggravated assault on an officer
- Aggravated assault traffic collision
- Hit-and-run accident
- Endangerment
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