2nd Person Dies After Man Drives Semi Into Building: Cops

UPDATE Apr 23, 2024 12:30 AM CDT

A second victim has died more than a week after a man allegedly drove a stolen 18-wheeler into a Texas public safety office. Police identified Cheryl Turner, 63, as the second person killed; a 78-year-old man died on the day of the incident. Police say Clenard Parker, 42, was a semitrailer driver who had visited the public safety office the day prior and been told his application to renew his commercial driver's license had been rejected. He is jailed and facing charges including murder, four counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and unauthorized use of a vehicle.

Apr 12, 2024 1:18 PM CDT

One person was killed and at least a dozen were injured when an 18-wheeler crashed into a Texas Department of Public Safety building in Brenham, and authorities say it was a deliberate act, reports ABC13.

• The crash: The tractor-trailer drove into the building about 10:40am in the rural town about 75 miles west of Houston, per the AP. This particular DPS office dispenses driver's licenses, reports KHOU 11. Images showed a gaping hole at the entrance.

• In custody: The ABC affiliate reports the tractor-trailer was stolen. Its driver, who refused medical attention at the scene, is in custody. "We believe this was a criminal act," said Washington County Sheriff Otto Hanak.
• Serious injuries: Details were scant about the injuries, but at least three people were flown to hospitals in critical condition, according to ABC13. Another six were transported to hospitals by ambulance.
• The driver: The suspect had been rejected for a commercial driver's license at the office on Thursday, officials said.

(More Texas stories.)