A commercial vehicle crashed into the Brenham Department of Public Safety (DPS) offices today, according to law enforcement reports.
DPS stated multiple people have been seriously injured, confirmed a suspect is in custody, and said that the Texas Rangers are investigating the incident.
One person succumbed to injuries following the crash, officials stated.
Brenham is located about 75 miles from Houston.
Photos released by on-site media sources picture a large red semi-truck loaded with cargo outside of the facility.
Department officials named Clenard Parker as the suspect in the case and stated he is in custody and facing multiple felonies.
DPS went on to say 14 people were in the building at the time of the crash and Parker had stolen the semi-truck earlier in the day before intentionally crashing into the building.
When asked if this was an act of “domestic terrorism,” officials stated this is still an “active investigation.”
Sen. Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) also spoke to the media, saying,“This will not be tolerated in my city, or in this state.”
Kolkhorst, a Brenham native, called the crash a “horrific tragedy” and offered additional information relating to the incident saying “three individuals were-life-flighted with critical injuries. Three other patrons were transported to local hospitals in stable condition:”
The senator added that DPS said, “No staff suffered serious injury; one staffer had been trapped for a period of time inside the office.”
“This appears to be an international, criminal act and the Texas Rangers will be leading the investigation,” Kolkorst stated.
“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.”
House Speaker Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont) said he is “monitoring the situation in Brenham involving a stolen commercial truck that intentionally caused injury to innocent Texans at a DEPS office.”
According to a briefing given to county Judge Mark Keough, the crash was done intentionally after the suspect was denied a Class of Commercial Driver License.
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