A man has been charged after police say he stole a MedStar ambulance in Novi, leading officers on a dangerous pursuit that ended in a fiery crash near 8 Mile and Beck roads.
The incident began Friday afternoon when Novi officers and firefighters were responding to a rollover crash at 10 Mile and Novi Road. As crews treated a patient in the back of an ambulance, a man identified as Changlin Li reportedly jumped inside and drove away — with a paramedic and a patient still in the vehicle.
Police chased the stolen ambulance, which reached speeds over 70 mph, ran red lights, and drove through a construction zone before crashing into a GMC Yukon at the intersection of 8 Mile and Beck.
Investigators say Li resisted arrest and tried to grab an officer’s firearm during the struggle. A knife was later found in his jacket. At the hospital, he allegedly attempted to disarm another officer.
Li is now charged with carjacking, fleeing police, resisting and obstructing officers, attempting to disarm a police officer, and carrying a concealed weapon. His bond was set at $5 million cash or surety.
All victims — including the paramedic, patient, and another driver — suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
