One person was killed and 13 others were injured when a stolen semi-truck crashed into a Department of Public Safety office in Brenham, Texas, on Friday.
The truck was being pursued by multiple law enforcement vehicles when it crashed into the office, according to DPS Sgt. Justin Reese said at a press conference. He said the driver was denied a commercial driver's license on Thursday.
“While he was there, the driver's license officer advised him that he was not eligible to renew his commercial driver's license,” Reese said.
Officials said the person who died was one of five people hospitalized, but it was otherwise too early to identify the victims. Eight people were treated at the scene and released.
Brenham Mayor Atwood Kenjura said the driver tried to back up again and crash into the building, but was stopped by first responders. Had they succeeded, he said, the number of casualties would have been even worse.
“That building could have collapsed,” the mayor said at a press conference.
Montgomery County Judge Mark Keogh said the incident was intentional and “perpetrated by a suspect who was denied a CDL yesterday.”
“He returned today with the intent to cause harm. I will continue to pray for the DPS officers, soldiers, and civilians affected,” Keogh said in a Facebook post.
Police have not said what caused the truck to crash into the building and will provide an update at a news conference Friday afternoon.
All three were taken to Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in stable condition. A hospital spokesperson said all suffered minor injuries from building debris.
The truck driver was hospitalized and later handed over to police, a spokesperson said. Police confirmed in a post to X that they have a suspect in custody.
Their identities have not been made public.
Aerial video from NBC News affiliate KPRC in Houston shows a large semi-truck in the office parking lot taking aim at the building and partially reversing into the street.
Helicopter video shows the entrance to the building appears to be severely damaged.
Texas State Police said they asked the public to avoid the area. X.
Brenham is located approximately 117 miles northwest of Houston.
This is a developing story. Please check back for the latest information.
