PHOENIX, AZ — A former New Mexico corrections sergeant is facing accusations in Phoenix after police say she took a running ambulance that had no key inside, drove it while impaired, and crashed into a pickup truck. The collision injured the truck’s driver, though that person was not seriously hurt, according to police.
Authorities identified the suspect as 24-year-old Grace Vicente, who had worked as a sergeant for the New Mexico Correctional Facility in Grants. Police said the incident happened in Phoenix, and prosecutors later said Vicente passed out while behind the wheel of the ambulance.
Police say the ambulance was taken while it was still running
Phoenix police said Vicente got into the ambulance while it was running, even though there was no key inside the vehicle. Investigators said she then drove off and traveled about two miles before the crash. The details raise questions about the circumstances around the vehicle being left available, but no one has said the ambulance was left unattended because of negligence.
The vehicle’s status was addressed by a Phoenix Firefighters Union spokesman, who said emergency crews cannot simply shut off and lock every ambulance the moment someone steps away from the cab. He said that practice is not realistic in emergency settings, where quick response matters.
Crash on the Phoenix streets left a pickup driver hospitalized
Police said the ambulance eventually struck a pickup truck after the short drive across Phoenix. The pickup driver was taken to a hospital after the wreck, but officials said the injuries were not serious. No additional details were provided about the location of the crash or the extent of the damage to either vehicle…