Key facts
- Miguel Parra-Hernandez, 48, was struck by an ICE vehicle in Houston, Texas, on Saturday.
- Parra-Hernandez sustained serious injuries including a shattered ankle and hip.
- His representatives state he was not the target of the ICE pursuit.
- ICE stated Parra-Hernandez ran in front of their vehicle.
- The ICE vehicle was reportedly not using a siren or displaying flashing lights.
- Parra-Hernandez has lived in the US for 34 years and has no criminal record.
A Texas man suffered severe injuries after being struck by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) vehicle during a traffic stop, with his representatives asserting he was not the intended target of the federal agents.
Miguel Parra-Hernandez, 48, sustained multiple fractures, including a shattered ankle and hip, when an ICE SUV ran him over in Houston, Texas, on Saturday. According to ICE, agents were pursuing two men who fled a pickup truck, and Parra-Hernandez ran in front of their vehicle. However, video footage aired by KTRK appears to show an unmarked SUV veering towards Parra-Hernandez as he ran across an empty parking lot.
Parra-Hernandez's attorney, Kim Bruno, and Cesar Espinosa, executive director of FIEL Houston, stated at a news conference that Parra-Hernandez was not known to the individual ICE agents were allegedly pursuing, Jose Mendoza-Cervantes. Bruno added that the ICE vehicle was not using a siren or flashing lights, despite new ICE guidelines implemented in October that require law enforcement vehicles to be equipped with such signals, though their use was not mandated.
Espinosa described the incident as "violent and brutal," and Bruno relayed that Parra-Hernandez fled because he did not recognize the vehicle. He had picked up another person for work, and neither knew Mendoza-Cervantes. Parra-Hernandez, who has lived in the U.S. for 34 years and has no criminal record, remains in ICE custody and faces further surgery and a lengthy recovery period.
Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare confirmed his office is investigating the incident. The Harris County Sheriff's office stated ICE called them after the crash, which occurs amid broader criticism of ICE's enforcement tactics.