Texas State Capitol grounds vandalized after man drives vehicle onto property

Small vehicle apparently driven onto State Capitol grounds

Tire tracks can be seen on the grass and a fence is damaged after a small vehicle was apparently driven onto the State Capitol grounds.

AUSTIN, Texas - The Texas Department of Public Safety says a man has been arrested after driving a vehicle onto the State Capitol grounds and causing some damage.

DPS says the incident happened just before 10 p.m. on September 28 when DPS personnel noticed a white Toyota Camry driving erratically at a high rate of speed and honking the horn on the south Capitol grounds.

An arrest affidavit says DPS pursued the car and found it driving circles around a historical monument, then accelerating and colliding with another historical monument.

The driver had driven through an iron gate and caused damage near the east exit. He then drove onto a grassy area and came to a stop after striking and damaging a bollard and fixture near the south steps.

42-year-old Dries M. Bedingfield has been identified as the driver. A red vape pen with CBD residue was found in his shirt pocket as well, says the affidavit.