18-Wheeler Truck Crashes Into Texas Building

An 18-wheeler truck crashed into an office building in Brenham, Texas, on Friday according to a report from local news station KBTX.

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) also wrote in a post to X, formerly Twitter, that a commercial motor vehicle drove into the agency's office in Brenham just after noon ET on Friday, adding that there were "reports of multiple serious injuries."

The Context:

Texas' DPS alerted the public of the crash at 12:17 p.m. ET, with many details about the situation remaining unclear.

What We Know:

Authorities have made an arrest and there is no further danger to the community, Texas' DPS posted at 1:37 p.m. ET.

Residents were asked to stay clear of the scene as investigators and medical personnel respond to the area, according to DPS, which noted that updates would be provided online.

The office is located near downtown Brenham, a city of more than 18,000 people located about 74 miles northwest of Houston.

KTRK-TV, Houston's local ABC News affiliate, reported that at least 16 people were injured in the crash, though officials have not confirmed that number publicly.

"#Breaking - A commercial motor vehicle ran into the Brenham DPS Office, and there are reports of multiple serious injuries. PIO is headed to the scene. Please stay clear of the area as investigators and medical personnel respond to the area. Updates will be provided here," Texas' DPS post reads.

Newsweek reached out to Texas' DPS for comment via email. The Washington County Sheriff's Office deferred to DPS when reached by Newsweek.

Meanwhile, photographs posted to X by KPRC journalist Gage Goulding showed damage at the building alongside the damage sustained by the 18-wheeler. The photographs also showed a state trooper and ambulance at the scene.

Views

Washington County Sheriff Otto Hanak told reporters that authorities presently "believe this is a criminal act," KHOU-TV journalist Cheryl Mercedes wrote in a post to X.

In a post to Facebook, Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough wrote, "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."

A mass casualty incident involves a situation when law enforcement is overwhelmed by the number of casualties in a situation. It does not necessitate fatalities and officials had not yet said there were any deaths.

What's Next?

The crash remains under investigation. Texas DPS confirmed that the Texas Rangers are investigating.

Update 4/12/24 12:58 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.

Update 4/12/24 1:50 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.