Stolen Schoharie ambulance pursuit ends with crash in Schenectady

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10)-- State Police are investigating a crash on Eastern Avenue in Schenectady resulting from a stolen Schoharie ambulance pursuit. Troopers said Adam C. Cole, 25, of Schenectady, is in custody after being identified as the driver who allegedly stole and crashed the ambulance, leaving a 24-year-old Utica man in critical condition.

Troopers said the ambulance was stolen when Schoharie EMS responded to a call for a woman suffering a diabetic emergency on Main Street in Cobleskill around 10:17 p.m. Once the woman was loaded into the ambulance, Troopers said Cole told the EMS responders there was another emergency nearby and drove off in the ambulance when the responders got out.

Troopers said Cole was spotted by a Schoharie County Sheriff's Deputy traveling east on Interstate 88. The deputy attempted a traffic stop, but Cole didn't comply. After being spotted on I-88, State Police joined the pursuit and took the lead as the ambulance left Schoharie County.

According to Troopers, Cole entered Schenectady from the New York State Thruway and was traveling on Eastern Avenue when he crashed into a 1988 Nissan 300Z at the intersection with Brandywine Avenue. Troopers added that Cole dropped off the woman experiencing a diabetic emergency before the crash at the Route 7 Speedway in Cobleskill shortly after stealing the ambulance.

The man driving the Nissan was identified as Jesus Espinal Jr., 24, of Utica, and suffered serious injuries in the crash. He remains in critical condition at Albany Medical Center.

Troopers said Cole is in custody, and multiple charges are pending. Additionally, Cole has an active warrant for arrest for third-degree grand larceny out of the Schenectady County Sheriff's Office.