On July 8, 2023, at approximately 9:00 pm, Thompson RCMP received a report of a male jumping in front of traffic and punching vehicles on Princeton Drive in Thompson. A few minutes later, police were notified that an ambulance had crashed into a tree near that location.
Police attended and located a male in the driver's seat of the ambulance. It was the same male who had been jumping in traffic. A minivan was also damaged at that location, after being hit by the ambulance.
Emergency Medical Services arrived on scene and were able to extract the driver from the ambulance. The driver of the ambulance and the five occupants of the minivan were all transported to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
Investigation has determined that Draven Beardy, 20, from York Landing, Manitoba, stole the ambulance when EMS were on scene to attend the call related to punching vehicles. When he attempted to leave the scene, the ambulance collided with the minivan and crashed into a tree in front of Assiniboine Place.
Once in hospital, Beardy threatened medical staff. He was treated and released into police custody.
Beardy is charged with Dangerous Operation Causing Bodily Harm x 5, Utter Threats, Theft of Vehicle, and Possession of Property Obtained by Crime. He remains in custody. Further charges may be pending.