First responders stress importance of mental health following deadly 18-wheeler crash in Brenham
BRENHAM, Texas (KBTX) – The actions of a deputy on the scene of the deadly 18-wheeler crash in Brenham may have saved lives, police say.
A commercial motor vehicle was stolen and intentionally driven through the DPS Driver License Office in Brenham.
Lieutenant David Blakey saw the aftermath of the crash. He said the quick thinking of first responders at the scene ensured the suspect was stopped and the injured were taken care of.
It was a deputy who parked his vehicle directly behind the 18-wheeler that prevented the suspect, Clenard Parker, 42, from ramming into the building again. Parker hit the vehicle, which Blakey said slowed him down enough to allow officers to take him into custody.
“If he would have had more speed, if he would have tried to ram it again, it could have been worse,” Blakey said.
According to DPS, two victims remain in the hospital in critical, but stable condition. More than a dozen people were injured. One person was killed. The deceased has been identified as Bobby Huff, 78.
DPS confirmed that Huff was not an employee of DPS, but did not elaborate on what he was doing at the office when the crash happened.
Washington County EMS arrived at the scene of the crash in around two minutes. In emergencies like this, every second counts.
“It’s enormous for the patients. Time is really what it’s all about with trauma patients that are critically injured,” Kevin Deramus, Director of Washington County EMS, said.
Three helicopters, 13 ambulances and several first responder agencies were on the ground in less than an hour.
“Most of our training doesn’t plan for vehicles into buildings,” Deramus said, “I felt like the guys in the crews handled it really well.”
While patients were being cared for, law enforcement apprehended Parker.
“The quick thinking of our officers, of the trooper, of the Brenham Police Department that were there getting him out of the truck and getting him in custody,” Blakey said.
As the dust settles, Deramus turns his attention to the mental health of those who were at the scene. Washington County EMS keeps mental health professionals on retainer to assist in the aftermath.
“I’ll try to get relief for them and just really making sure we’re taking care of the mental health and the wellbeing of the crews that responded to it,” he said.
It’s a sentiment shared by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
“Anything major like this, we try to get them into that debriefing, so to speak, as quickly as possible,” Blakey added.
Parker now faces three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in addition to the previous charges of evading arrest and the unauthorized use of a vehicle.
His bond is set at $2 million.
