Published January 23, 2025
TUCSON, Ariz. — A man has been arrested in connection with a wrong-way crash on Interstate 10 that seriously injured two paramedics.
The Tucson Police Department (TPD) said 20-year-old Raul Ricardo Padilla faces multiple charges, including endangerment, aggravated assault, aggravated DUI, and unlawful flight from an officer.
The incident occurred early Tuesday, Jan. 23, near Grant Road after a police pursuit. Officers initially tried to stop a Dodge Charger for a traffic infraction, but the vehicle fled. TPD’s air unit later observed a driver abandoning the car. Padilla allegedly took over and drove onto I-10 with no headlights, eventually traveling the wrong way.
Police authorized a pursuit, and the Charger collided head-on with an AMR ambulance near the Grant Road overpass. The ambulance caught fire, trapping two paramedics inside. One paramedic remains in critical condition, while the second and Padilla sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Two officers assisting at the scene were treated for minor injuries.
Witnesses described the crash as shocking, with no time for either vehicle to stop. Tiffany Randklev and Alexis Snyder stayed with the paramedics until first responders arrived, offering comfort and assistance.
AMR Southern Arizona released a statement, confirming their cooperation with the investigation and offering support to their employees. The investigation is ongoing.
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