MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A man accused of stealing an ambulance from Le Bonheur in August, going on a joyride and hitting a pedestrian and later crashing into several cars was arraigned on the charges Friday, Dec. 15.
James Miller was indicted on charges of aggravated assault, reckless driving, theft of property between $60,000 and $250,000, and leaving the scene of an accident involving injury. His bond was reduced Aug. 31 from $125,000 to $50,000. He remains in the Shelby County Jail. A public defender has been assigned to the case.
MPD said their officers responded to the call for a stolen Crittenden County, Arkansas, ambulance at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital at 7:40 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023. That's when they said the suspect, 33-year-old James Miller, had tried to enter the trauma hall. When he could not get in, investigators said he stole an ambulance and fled.
Then, at approximately 7:58 p.m., officers responded to a hit-and-run crash where a pedestrian was hit at Poplar Avenue and South Goodlett Street. MPD said Miller hit a man after running a red light, then sped off from the area. The man was taken to Regional One Hospital in critical condition.
Finally, at 8:10 p.m., officers responded to a four-vehicle crash at Poplar Avenue and Perkins Road Extended. The stolen ambulance hit a Ford Bronco and a Toyota RAV 4. Due to the impact, the Bronco also hit an additional vehicle. A man and a woman were taken to area hospitals in non-critical condition due to injuries from the crash. Officers were able to take Miller into custody.