Thirty-seven-year-old Joseph Webb, of Kelso, was identified as the subject in the ambulance

On Thursday (May 18) at about 10:51 p.m., law enforcement personnel from the Clark County Sheriff’s Office and Washington State Patrol responded to assist American Medical Response personnel on Interstate 5 northbound at milepost 5 in Vancouver. 

Medics had been transporting a patient to the hospital when the patient became combative inside the ambulance and began attempting to access unknown items in his bags. The medics pulled over along the freeway and vacated the ambulance for their safety. 

Joseph Webb, 37, of Kelso, was identified as the subject in the ambulance. A standoff ensued on the side of the freeway which lasted about a half hour. Webb could be seen intermittently peeking out through the back doors of the ambulance. 

Deputies were able to make phone contact with Webb and negotiate his safe surrender. He was ultimately transported to an area hospital in a different ambulance. There were no injuries reported as a result of this incident. 

Information provided by Clark County Sheriff’s Office.