1 dead after stolen 18-wheeler crashes into Texas DPS building, several others injured
AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Department of Public Safety reported one person died and others were seriously injured after a stolen 18-wheeler crashed into a DPS office in Brenham Friday.
The department said law enforcement was in pursuit of the stolen vehicle when it went into the building.
DPS said the Texas Rangers are investigating the incident, and a suspect has been arrested.
The suspect was identified as 42-year-old Clenard Parker, and according to DPS, he was at the Brenham office Thursday and was denied a renewal for his commercial driver’s license.
Parker was arrested at the scene and taken to the Washington County Jail. As of Friday afternoon, Parker faced charges of unauthorized use of a vehicle and evading arrest.
Emergency personnel work at the scene after an 18-wheeler crashed into the Texas Department of Public Safety Office in Brenham, Texas, Friday, April 12, 2024. A suspect is in custody in connection to a commercial vehicle crash at the Texas Department of Public Safety office in the rural town west of Houston. Texas DPS officials say multiple injuries were reported in the crash. (AP Photo/Lekan Oyekanmi) First responders on the scene after a stolen 18-wheeler crashed into a Texas Department of Public Safety office on US-290 in Brenham, Texas on Friday, April 12, 2024. The driver of a stolen semitrailer intentionally rammed it into the Texas public safety office in a rural town west of Houston on Friday, injuring multiple people, according to a state lawmaker. (Meredith Seaver /College Station Eagle via AP) First responders on the scene after a stolen 18-wheeler crashed into a Texas Department of Public Safety office on US-290 in Brenham, Texas on Friday, April 12, 2024. The driver of a stolen semitrailer intentionally rammed it into the Texas public safety office in a rural town west of Houston on Friday, injuring multiple people, according to a state lawmaker. (Meredith Seaver /College Station Eagle via AP) First responders on the scene after a stolen 18-wheeler crashed into a Texas Department of Public Safety office on US-290 in Brenham, Texas on Friday, April 12, 2024. The driver of a stolen semitrailer intentionally rammed it into the Texas public safety office in a rural town west of Houston on Friday, injuring multiple people, according to a state lawmaker. (Meredith Seaver /College Station Eagle via AP) Emergency personnel work at the scene after an 18-wheeler crashed into the Texas Department of Public Safety Office in Brenham, Texas, Friday, April 12, 2024. A suspect is in custody in connection to a commercial vehicle crash at the Texas Department of Public Safety office in the rural town west of Houston. Texas DPS officials say multiple injuries were reported in the crash. (AP Photo/Lekan Oyekanmi) Emergency personnel work at the scene after an 18-wheeler crashed into the Texas Department of Public Safety Office in Brenham, Texas, Friday, April 12, 2024. A suspect is in custody in connection to a commercial vehicle crash at the Texas Department of Public Safety office in the rural town west of Houston. Texas DPS officials say multiple injuries were reported in the crash. (AP Photo/Lekan Oyekanmi)
DPS said 14 people were involved in the incident. Six people were taken to the hospital and eight others were treated and released at the scene.
DPS said on social media the building was located at 975 U.S. Highway 290. Brenham is located about an hour northwest of Houston and about two hours east of Austin.
Texas Senator Lois Kolkhorst said in a social media post three people were life-flighted with critical injuries while three others were taken to local hospitals in stable condition.
Kolkhorst said in the post, “According to law enforcement, this appears to be an intentional, criminal act.”
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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