At least 16 people have been injured after a truck driver intentionally rammed into the Texas Department of Safety building the day after they denied his license application.
An unnamed motorist plowed the 18-wheel vehicle into the government building in the rural town of Brenham, 75 miles northwest of Houston, at around 11.17am following a police chase.
Texas DPS said the suspect has been detained and there is ‘no further threat’ to the community, while police said the truck was stolen.
The department added that the crash was deliberate, though the suspect has not yet been publicly identified.
Three people were airlifted to hospital with critical injuries and three more were transported from the scene in a serious condition. The driver refused treatment at the scene, according to Abc13.
At least 16 people have been injured after a truck driver intentionally rammed into the Texas Department of Safety building the day after they denied his license application
At least sixteen people have been injured – three critically – after a truck intentionally plowed into a Texas Department of Safety building in Brenham after a police chase
Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough said the crash was intentional and that the suspect had been denied a commercial driving license the day before.
‘Pray for our Texas DPS as they’re experiencing a mass casualty incident in Brenham with a major vehicle accident at their office. No word on injuries at this time,’ he said on Facebook.
‘Update: I have been briefed and this incident was intentional and done by the suspect who was denied a CDL yesterday. He returned today with intent to harm.’
Images of the collision showed the 18-wheeler’s front end was smashed in and covered with debris from the front doors of the office.
The large red tractor-trailer can be seen in the parking lot beside debris scattered out front near a gaping hole at the entrance.
Officials said there are reports of multiple serious injuries but did not specify how many people were affected or the extent of the injuries.
The Brenham DPS office is a facility where driver’s licenses are issued, located around 75 miles northwest of Houston
A stolen 16 wheeler smashed into the Brenham, Texas, building on Friday
The Texas DPS said the suspect has been detained and there is ‘no further threat’ to the community, while police said the 18-wheeler truck was stolen
They also requested people avoid the area to clear the way for responding medical personnel.
Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives Dade Phelan said authorities were ‘monitoring a serious situation in Brenham involving a stolen commercial truck that intentionally caused injury to innocent Texans.’
‘Texas authorities are investigating and have advised people to avoid the area,’ he added.
‘Thank you to the brave law enforcement officers and first responders currently on the scene. Please keep those injured today in your prayers as they recover.’
The Brenham DPS office is a facility where driver’s licenses are issued. The branch said the Texas Rangers are investigating the incident.