US WatchListenLive TV

1 dead, several injured after 18-wheeler crashed into

Texas Department of Public Safety office, driver arrested
By Andy Rose and Sara Smart, CNN
2 minute read · Updated 4:47 PM EDT, Fri April 12, 2024

Video Ad Feedback

See the scene after an 18-wheeler crashed into a Texas DPS office
01:17 - Source: CNN

See the scene after an 18-wheeler crashed into a Texas DPS office

01:17

'A stunt for Donald Trump': SE Cupp blasts Speaker Johnson's trip to Mar-a-Lago

See More Videos

(CNN) — A man drove a stolen 18-wheeler into a Texas Department of Public Safety
building Friday, killing one person and injuring 13 others, according to local officials.
 Advertisement

The driver of the stolen 18-wheeler was identified as Clenard Parker, 42, from Chappell
Hill, law enforcement officials said in a Friday news conference. He was uninjured and
taken into custody.

Parker was denied his commercial driver’s license at the Brenham DPS office on
Thursday afternoon, according to authorities and was fleeing pursuing deputies at the
time of the crash.

“This is a tragic day for us,” department regional supervisor Gerald Brown said at the
news conference. “My heart and prayers goes out to the family members of those that
are injured, as well as those that are injured.”

Parker is facing multiple felony charges, according to authorities.

Brenham Mayor Atwood Kenjura described the incident as “a really senseless tragedy”
at the news conference.

Advertisement

He added the suspect seemed to have been backing up with the intent of ramming the
building a second time.

“Our fire chief mentioned that if he had veered a little bit to the left the second time,
there would have been a collapse of that building, which would have resulted in a lot
more injuries and possible death,” the mayor said.
“We believe this was a criminal act,” Washington County Sheriff Otto Hanak told CNN
affiliate KHOU on Friday.

Advertisement

The DPS announced the arrest on X and said, “There is no further threat to the
community.”

Aerial footage from CNN affiliate KTRK shows a semi with a flatbed trailer loaded with
what appears to be rebar. A large gap is seen in the front of the building and the
vehicle’s cab is severely damaged.

Brenham is about 70 miles northwest of Houston.

CNN’s Sara Weisfeldt and Rosa Flores contributed to this report

This is a developing story and will be updated.

Up next
A 3-year-old left in a running truck was behind the wheel when it hit
and killed a 2-year-old
1 minute read

Body armor and loaded guns found in vehicle during traffic stop,
police say
2 minute read

96 shots fired in a fatal traffic stop. Here’s what the bodycam

footage shows
5 minute read
Shooting outside Indianapolis bar leaves 1 dead, 5 injured
2 minute read

Kansas City Chiefs receiver Rashee Rice surrenders to police in

connection with 6-car crash in Dallas
3 minute read

Most read

1 Trump attorney who became a crucial witness against him has departed legal
team

2 Vietnam tycoon sentenced to death in $12 billion fraud case

3 Trump and Johnson build alliance on the falsehood of the stolen election

4 These are the border officers that migrants fear – and they are not the
Americans

5 Trump poses unique challenges for jury in his hush money trial

6 FBI interview transcript reveals how Trump aide characterized boxes at Mar-a-
Lago to investigators

7 One of the world’s highest cities starts rationing water for 9 million people

8 Pacific castaways’ ‘HELP’ sign sparks US rescue mission – and an unexpected

family reunion

9 House passes modified surveillance bill after it failed earlier this week

10 Biden to forgive $7.4 billion more in student loan debt for 277,000 borrowers

MORE FROM CNN

A 3-year-old left in
a running truck was
behind the wheel
when it hit and
killed a 2-year-old
 Body armor and
loaded guns found
in vehicle during
traffic stop, police
say

96 shots fired in a
fatal traffic stop.
Here’s what the
bodycam footage
shows
NEWS & BUZZ

Trump attorney
who became a
crucial witness
against him has
departed legal
team

Vietnam tycoon
sentenced to death
in $12 billion fraud
case

Trump and Johnson

build alliance on
the falsehood of the
stolen election

Search CNN...

Sign in

Live TV

Listen

Watch
 World

US Politics

Business

Health

Entertainment

Tech

Style

Travel

Sports

Watch

Features

Weather

More

US

FOLLOW CNN

Terms of Use Privacy Policy Cookie Settings Ad Choices Accessibility & CC About Newsletters Transcripts

© 2024 Cable News Network. A Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All Rights Reserved.
CNN Sans ™ & © 2016 Cable News Network.