UPDATE: Texas Department of Public Safety Truck Attack Driver Identified, Casualty Count Updated

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Update: Earlier on Friday, we reported on the incident in Brenham, Texas, wherein an 18-wheeler truck was driven into a Texas Department of Public Safety office.

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Previously on RedState: 18-Wheeler Crashes Into Texas Department of Public Safety Office: Suspected to Be Criminal Act


We can now inform you that the driver of the truck was Clenard Parker, 42, who had been denied a renewal of his Commercial Driver's License (CDL) the day before.

The incident occurred around 10:30 a.m. local time, when the driver of a stolen 18-wheeler rammed into a Texas DPS driver's license office, Brown said. Authorities were pursuing the stolen vehicle when the driver made a "hard right turn" into the office, according to Texas DPS Sgt. Justin Ruiz.

The suspect -- identified by authorities as Clenard Parker, 42 -- had been informed by the office on Thursday that he was not eligible to renew his commercial driver's license, Ruiz said.

The suspect then "returned today with intent to harm," Washington County Judge Mark Keough said in a statement on social media.

Six people were transported to area hospitals, one of whom died from their injuries at the hospital, Ruiz said. Eight victims were treated at the scene and released.

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When Parker was apprehended, he reportedly was backing the truck up to try to hit the building again.

Following the initial crash, the suspect was backing the vehicle up "with the intent of going into it again," Brenham Mayor Atwood Kenjura told reporters.

"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," Kenjura said.

The Texas Rangers are investigating the incident. As of this writing, it is now known what charges Parker will face.

This remains a developing story. RedState will continue to monitor and bring you updates as events warrant.

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