ONE DEAD, SEVERAL HURT AFTER 18-WHEELER CRASHES INTO DPS OFFICE; SUSPECT IN CUSTODY
One person is confirmed dead, several others are injured, and a suspect is in custody after a stolen 18-wheeler drove into Brenham’s DPS office this (Friday) morning.
42-year-old Clenard Parker of Chappell Hill was pulled out of the 18-wheeler by officers after authorities say he intentionally crashed into the office around 11 a.m. A total of 14 people were inside; of those, eight were checked and released at the scene, while six were hospitalized.
One person succumbed to their injuries at the hospital. The victim has not been identified, pending family notification.
(Washington Co. Jail)
Parker was not injured. He was taken to the Washington County Jail and will face numerous felony charges.
Speaking at a press conference this afternoon, DPS Sergeant Justin Ruiz reported that a Washington County Sheriff’s deputy and other law enforcement spotted the 18-wheeler nearby the McDonald’s, close to South Day Street’s intersection with the Highway 290 feeder road. The vehicle fled from officers driving westbound, taking the feeder loop underneath Highway 290 to head back eastbound along the 290 feeder. The driver then took a hard right turn and drove into the DPS office.
Authorities say the 18-wheeler came back out of the office and was preparing to drive into it again when responding units pulled the driver out.
According to Sgt. Ruiz, Parker came to the DPS office Thursday afternoon, where he was denied a renewal of his commercial driver’s license.
Two of the victims were flown to St. Joseph Hospital in Bryan, and another was flown to Memorial Hermann in Houston. Three other victims were transported to Baylor Scott & White Hospital in Brenham.
Investigation is active and ongoing, led by the Texas Rangers. The scene has been secured.
Victim support services are present with family reunification at the Brenham Police Department.
DPS says the building will be shut down for the foreseeable future. Customers who had appointments scheduled at the DPS office will receive email communication and are encouraged to go to https://dps.texas.gov to reschedule to a different location.