Second person dies after 18-wheeler crashes into Texas DPS office

A second person is dead after a fully-loaded 18-wheeler crashed into a Texas Department of Public Safety building less than two weeks ago.

TxDPS Southeast Texas Region posted on social media that DPS and the Washington County DA’s Office confirmed that Brenham resident, Cheryl Turner, 63, has died as a result of her injuries from the crash. It happened on April 12 when 42-year-old Clenard Parker crashed a stolen 18-wheeler into a DPS office in Brenham.

Authorities believe that Parker had an intent to harm those inside the DPS office after he was denied a commercial driver license on April 11. Parker was allegedly being chased by a deputy before he veered the 18-wheeler into the DPS building. Brenham Mayor Atwood Kenjura said the driver was backing up to ram the building again, which could’ve caused it to collapse if he hit the left side of the office. 

Parker was arrested and taken to the Washington County Jail, where he faces multiple felony charges. Bobby Huff, 78, was identified as the first person who died at the scene. Fourteen people were reportedly involved in the crash, six of which were taken to the hospital, while the other eight were treated and released at the scene that day, KXAN reports. 

DPS said in the post on Monday, April 22, that it extends its “deepest condolences to the families of the deceased.”