The suspect who is accused of stealing a Crittenden EMS ambulance at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital and hitting a pedestrian and other vehicles on Wednesday, Aug. 9, has been charged and placed into custody.

James Miller, 33, is charged with theft of property $60,000-$250,000; reckless driving; two counts of leaving the scene of an accident involving injury; and no driver’s license.

According to the Memphis Police Department’s Aug. 10 Facebook post, police responded to Le Bonheur, 865 Poplar Ave., after an ambulance owned by Crittenden EMS had been stolen from the ambulance bay.

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Miller attempted to enter the hospital’s trauma hall, but when his efforts proved to be unsuccessful, he stole the ambulance and fled, according to MPD’s account.

Crittenden EMS posted about the incident on its Facebook after the events unfolded. The post said the ambulance crew was inside the hospital with their patient. No other details were provided.

“The CEMS family sends its prayers to those injured during this incident,” the post reads.

Sara Burnett, director of public and community relations for Le Bonheur, said the hospital continues to care about the safety of its patients, their families, staff and physicians. 

“Keeping our employees and families safe while they are on the Le Bonheur campus remains our top priority,” Burnett said. “We continue to upgrade and monitor security measures across our campuses and work with community partners ... to ensure our campus remains as safe as possible.”

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Minutes after Miller allegedly stole the ambulance, officers responded to a hit-and-run call at 7:58 p.m., according to MPD’s Facebook post. A male pedestrian was struck by the ambulance at Poplar Avenue and South Goodlett Street in East Memphis after Miller ran a red light. The ambulance fled the scene, and the man was transported to Regional One Health in critical condition.

Then, at 8:10 p.m., officers responded to a four-vehicle crash at Poplar Avenue and Perkins Extended. The ambulance had hit a Ford Bronco and a Toyota RAV4, which struck another vehicle because of the impact.

A male and a female were transported to hospitals in non-critical condition. 

“Officers were able to take James Miller into custody,” the MPD Facebook post reads. 

Pastor Paul Lawler of Christ Church located at 4488 Poplar Ave., which is between the two crash sites, said none of his staff or church members witnessed what happened because their power had gone out from the storm.

“It’s just unfortunate that we have so many bad players. But in addition to the bad players, my sense is this person has some mental health issues. And we don’t have enough enforcement or places that people with mental health can get the help that they need.”

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“We deeply grieve innocent lives being harmed and the brokenness in any individual that would endanger others,” Lawler said. “And prayers are being lifted up for all involved.”

Memphis City Councilwoman Patrice Robinson said she thought the man seemed like he may have been crying for help.

“It’s just unfortunate that we have so many bad players,” Robinson said. “But in addition to the bad players, my sense is this person has some mental health issues. And we don’t have enough enforcement or places that people with mental health can get the help that they need.”