18-wheeler crashes into Texas DPS in Brenham, officials believe crash was intentional

Clenard Parker, 42, stole an 18-wheeler and crashed it into the Texas Department of Public Safety office in Brenham on Friday afternoon, Texas Rangers said in a news conference.

One person died en route to a hospital from the crash scene, and 13 others were injured, according to local law enforcement officials.

Parker was alone in the truck and was arrested at the scene. He is in custody at the Washington County sheriff's department, according to law enforcement officials.

During the news conference, Texas Rangers said Parker visited the DPS office off U.S. 290 on the southwestern side of Brenham on Thursday seeking to renew his commercial driver's license, but he was denied.

On Friday, Parker stole the truck and led police on a chase that culminated in the crash at the DPS office, officials said.

Multiple injured, one dead

Of the 13 injured people, eight were treated and released at the scene of the incident.

Two people were flown to the CHI St. Joseph Health hospital in Bryan. One person was flown to Memorial Herman Hospital in Houston. Three were taken to Baylor Scott and White in Brenham.

State Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, shared her condolences via X, formerly Twitter, about the DPS office crash.

"Today, a horrific tragedy occurred in my hometown of Brenham where an individual driving a stolen 18-wheeler crashed through the local Department of Public Safety (DPS) office. Three individuals were life-flighted with critical injuries," she said.

Brenham is about 70 miles northwest of Houston.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Multiple injured after big rig DPS crash in Brenham