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Phoenix, AZ (August 28, 2026) – A New Mexico correctional officer was arrested after police said she drove away in an ambulance and crashed into a pickup truck on Thursday night, August 27. The collision happened near 75th Avenue and Osborn Road after the ambulance was reportedly taken from an event near 83rd Avenue and Encanto Boulevard.
Phoenix police said Grace Vicente, 24, entered the driver’s seat of a Phoenix Fire ambulance around 11 p.m. while it was parked near Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre during a concert. Prosecutors said paramedics noticed the ambulance was missing after they went to retrieve a gurney.
Police said Vicente drove less than two miles before striking a pickup truck near 75th Avenue and Osborn Road. The ambulance also hit a wall, and prosecutors said Vicente later passed out in traffic. A person was seen being loaded onto a stretcher at the crash scene but was not seriously injured, according to police.
Officers arrested Vicente, who was accused of showing signs of impairment and booked on charges of DUI and theft of means of transportation. This is a developing story.
We are keeping the injured in our thoughts.
What Are the Risks of Impaired Driving?
Impaired driving can affect reaction time, coordination, judgment, and a driver’s ability to respond to changing traffic conditions. These effects can increase the risk of collisions involving other motorists, pedestrians, and property.
Large emergency vehicles can create additional concerns because of their size and equipment. Drivers operating any vehicle should remain alert to traffic signals, roadway conditions, and other vehicles around them.
A collision can also create secondary hazards when a vehicle strikes a wall, roadside structure, or another vehicle. Staying focused and avoiding alcohol or other substances that impair driving ability can help reduce these risks.
