Benjamin Feltz
WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI (WSAU) — The man accused of taking a working ambulance on a 40-minute trip from Wisconsin Rapids to a field near Pittsville has entered a not guilty plea to charges including first-degree recklessly endangering safety, taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent, and fleeing an officer.
Benjamin Feltz entered the plea on Monday morning. He also waived his right to a preliminary hearing.
The 37-year-old is accused of stripping naked and jumping in the driver’s seat of the ambulance while two paramedics were securing the patient in the back. One jumped out to confront him, but he took off.
The second paramedic stayed with the patient, but exited the vehicle early in the chase for their own safety. The chase continued until the vehicle became stuck in a field near Pittsville. After a short standoff, Feltz exited and surrendered without further incident.
All told, he faces 10 counts, including misdemeanors for a 3rd OWI, disorderly conduct, lewd behavior, and obstructing an emergency response. No one was injured in the incident, and the patient in the back of the vehicle was taken to the hospital in a second ambulance after he was taken into custody.
The ambulance suffered minor damage and was towed from the scene.
Feltz was deemed competent for trial in March following an evaluation. He is being held on a $100,000 cash bond with further court action scheduled for July 24th. He faces up to 30.5 years in the state prison system if found guilty on all felony counts.
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