VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (AP/WAVY) — A man who stole an ambulance in Virginia Beach, crashed it and then had to be rescued has pleaded guilty to driving under the influence and grand theft.
The Virginia Beach Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office said Theodore Gasiorowski entered the plea Wednesday. He could face up to 21 years in prison when he’s sentenced.
According to a case summary admitted into evidence, Gasiorowski’s blood-alcohol content was between 0.24 and 0.27 after the April crash — which is about three times the legal limit.
Gasiorowski says he blacked out and didn’t remember going to Sentara Princess Anne Hospital, where surveillance video captured him taking a running ambulance after personnel rushed a patient inside.
The ambulance — which belonged to the Princess Anne Courthouse Volunteer Rescue Squad — was found 4 miles from the hospital, lying on its roof with Gasiorowski trapped inside.
The case summary showed Gasiorowski falsely claimed to be an EMT. Witnesses described Gasiorowski as having slurred speech and having an “unsteady gait” as he tried to walk away from the scene.