City not liable for accident caused by stolen ambulance says San Antonio Court of Appeals

The City of San Antonio v. Smith, 04-20-00077-CV (Tex.App.—San Antonio, November 25, 2020) (mem. op.)

This is an appeal from a denial of the city’s plea to the jurisdiction in a Texas Tort Claims Act (“TTCA”) case stemming from the operation of an ambulance.

Two paramedics were dispatched to a “Code 3” emergency in an apartment complex, warranting the use of the ambulance’s lights and sirens while in transit. When they arrived, they parked the ambulance, left the emergency lights on, and left the vehicle idling. Neither paramedic had heard of an idling ambulance being stolen nor had any inclination that the area would pose such a risk. While they were attending to the patient, an unknown person stole the ambulance and collided with two cars. The occupants of the other vehicles sued the city under the TTCA, alleging their injuries arose from the operation or use of a motor vehicle or were caused by a condition or use of tangible personal property. The allegation was that the City negligently left the ambulance unattended and it failed to use an adequate anti-theft device. The City filed a plea to the jurisdiction, primarily focusing on the facts that the ambulance was not operated by a city employee and that nonuse of property do not fall under TTCA’s’ waiver of immunity. The trial court denied the City’s plea and the City appealed.

The Court quickly dismissed the “operation of a motor vehicle” claim, as it was undisputed that no city employee was operating the ambulance. The appellees’ “condition or use of tangible personal property” claim focused on case law holding that items lacking an “integral safety component” fall under the TTCA’s waiver of immunity. However, the Court distinguished that such cases are not only the outer bounds of what could fall under the TTCA, but also inapplicable here because the ambulance did have anti-theft measures: door locks and an alarm. Thus, the appellees’ argument was not that the ambulance lacked an integral safety component, but that the ones present were not enough, and that does not waive immunity under the TTCA. Ultimately, the Court reversed the denial and dismissed the appellees’ case.

If you would like to read this opinion, click here. Panel consists of Chief Justice Marion, Justice Martinez, and Justice Rios. Memorandum opinion by Chief Justice Marion.