One person has died and 13 more have been injured after a Texas driver intentionally plowed a stolen truck into a government building the day after having his driving license application denied.
Clenard Parker, 42, used the 18-wheel vehicle to ram into the Texas Department of Safety building in the rural town of Brenham, 75 miles northwest of Houston on Friday morning, police have said.
Texas DPS said Parker, of Chappell Hill, has been detained and there is ‘no further threat’ to the community, while police said the crash was deliberate.
Three people were airlifted to hospital with critical injuries and three more were transported from the scene in a serious condition. One person has since died.
The driver refused treatment at the scene but did not resist arrest, authorities have said.
Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough said the crash was intentional and that the suspect had been denied a commercial driving license the day before.
‘Pray for our Texas DPS as they’re experiencing a mass casualty incident in Brenham with a major vehicle accident at their office. No word on injuries at this time,’ he said on Facebook.
‘Update: I have been briefed and this incident was intentional and done by the suspect who was denied a CDL yesterday. He returned today with intent to harm.’
Images of the collision showed the 18-wheeler’s front end was smashed in and covered with debris from the front doors of the office.
The large red tractor-trailer can be seen in the parking lot beside debris scattered out front near a gaping hole at the entrance.
Officials said there are reports of multiple serious injuries but did not specify how many people were affected or the extent of the injuries.
They also requested people avoid the area to clear the way for responding medical personnel.
Senator Lois Kolkhorst slammed the crash as a ‘deliberate, heinous act’ by the driver.
‘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,’ she wrote on X.
‘Three individuals were life-flighted with critical injuries. Three other patrons were transported to local hospitals in stable condition.
‘I have been in contact with local officials as well as the Director of DPS and the Lt. Governor’s office.
‘All resources are being deployed to assist our local first responders. DPS reports that no staff suffered serious injury; one staffer had been trapped for a period of time inside the office.
‘According to law enforcement, this appears to be an intentional, criminal act and the Texas Rangers will be leading the investigation.
‘This deliberate, heinous act is a reminder of the dangerous work done by our law enforcement and licensing agencies that work to provide public safety and services.
‘Please join me in praying for the innocent victims and their families at this time.’
Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives Dade Phelan said authorities were ‘monitoring a serious situation in Brenham involving a stolen commercial truck that intentionally caused injury to innocent Texans.’
‘Texas authorities are investigating and have advised people to avoid the area,’ he added.
‘Thank you to the brave law enforcement officers and first responders currently on the scene. Please keep those injured today in your prayers as they recover.’
The Brenham DPS office is a facility where driver’s licenses are issued. The branch said the Texas Rangers are investigating the incident.
