1 Killed, 13 Injured When Man Crashes Truck Into Office After He Was Denied a Driver's License: Police

The suspect has been charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle and evading arrest causing serious bodily injury

One person was killed, and 13 others were injured on Friday, April 12, after a 42-year-old man crashed an 18-wheeler into a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) office.

According to a department media briefing, the vehicle struck the office in Brenham shortly before 11:00 a.m.

Texas DPS Sgt. Justin Reese said that multiple law enforcement agencies were following the truck after it was reported stolen.

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Reese noted that the suspect, who was identified as Clenard Parker and taken into custody, had visited the office on Thursday.

"Parker did come to the DPS Brenham office yesterday at approximately 3 or 4 p.m., where he was denied his commercial driver's license. While he was there, the driver's license staff advised Parker that he was not eligible to renew his commercial driver's license," said Reese.

According to Reese, after law enforcement saw the stolen truck, they tried to stop the driver. The driver then took a U-turn before taking a hard right and driving through the building's front office, Reese said. Parker was arrested and taken out of the driver's seat as he tried to crash through the building again, Reese said.

The sergeant said that the incident is being treated as a "criminal investigation" led by the Texas Rangers and that Parker "did not suffer any injuries."

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There were 14 people in the office. "One is now deceased, two have serious injuries, three were taken to a hospital & released, and eight were treated at the scene," the department confirmed on X, formerly Twitter, on Friday afternoon.

"What I can say today is that this area is safe. We've got the suspect in custody and we're all out here trying to get the scene all fixed up and taken care of," said Reese during the media briefing

Texas DPS Regional Director Gerald Brown called it a "tragic day," adding, "My heart and prayers go out to the family members of those who are injured."

According to Washington County Jail records reviewed by PEOPLE, Parker has been charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle and evading arrest causing serious bodily injury. KHOU reports that Parker also has "several previous arrests."

Texas State Senator Lois Kolkhorst, who visited the scene after the incident, thanked first responders at the media conference, expressing that the suspect will be prosecuted to "the fullest extent of the law."

Sharing a photo from the scene on social media, Kolhorst wrote, "From details thus far, this was an intentional act of violence against innocent citizens and our civil servants that work in this facility. As I stated in the press conference, we will prosecute this coward to the fullest extent of the law. This shameful and murderous act will not be tolerated in my hometown or our state."

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"Please join me in praying for the deceased, the injured victims and all families impacted," she continued.

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