Yadira Arroyo, an EMT and 14-year veteran of the FDNY, was driving an ambulance with her partner in the Bronx on Thursday night when they were flagged down by a pedestrian. Arroyo and her partner pulled the vehicle over and both got out to help, according to a press release from the New York City Police Department.
At this time, a man entered the driver's side of the ambulance. Arroyo and her partner tried to prevent the individual from driving away but the man put the ambulance in reverse, knocking Arroyo to the ground and driving over her with the vehicle. The man continued driving in reverse, striking two occupied cars and a parked, unoccupied vehicle, police said.
The man then drove the ambulance forward, subsequently dragging Arroyo into the middle of the intersection. While trying to turn left, the ambulance crashed into two more parked vehicles before coming to a stop near a corner. The man attempted to flee on foot but was apprehended by an on-duty officer with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority who was on patrol, according to police.