1 dead, 13 injured after truck intentionally crashes into TX public safety building

BRENHAM, Texas (TND) — One person died and 13 others were injured after a commercial vehicle intentionally crashed into a Department of Public Safety office in Texas on Friday, officials said.

The Texas DPS - Southeast Texas Region X account posted about the incident Friday afternoon around 12:15 p.m. and confirmed the vehicle, an 18-wheeler, slammed into the Brenham DPS Office. Brenham is located in between Austin and Houston.

The suspect, identified as 42-year-old Clenard Parker, was eventually arrested in the crash.

DPS said in a news conference later Friday afternoon that Parker was in a stolen 18-wheeler and being followed in a police pursuit when the crash happened. A renewal for his commercial driver’s license had been rejected from the public safety building just one day earlier on Thursday.

One victim succumbed to injuries sustained from the crash and 13 others were injured.

In a lengthy post on X, state Sen. Lois Kolkhorst called the incident an "intentional, criminal act."

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,” Kolkhorst said.

Parker was taken to jail but DPS did not say what charges he will face.

The Texas Rangers are also investigating the incident.