A man is in the hospital after being struck by a vehicle driven by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent during a pursuit on Saturday, according to Texas law enforcement and ICE.
The incident occurred around 7:20 a.m. local time near Clay Road and Highway 6, just outside Houston. The ICE agent called 911 for an ambulance for the injured man, identified by ICE as Miguel Parra-Hernandez.
ICE stated the agency was attempting to arrest Jose Mendoza-Cervantes, a Mexican national alleged to have a criminal record and a final order of removal. According to ICE, Mendoza-Cervantes and Parra-Hernandez, whom the agency alleged was undocumented, entered a car and the ICE agent attempted to stop it. The Harris County Sheriff's Office reported that during the pursuit, both individuals exited their vehicle on foot. Surveillance video reviewed by ABC News appears to show the agent maneuvering his vehicle and striking Parra-Hernandez.
ICE said in a statement that "Parra-Hernandez ran in front of an ICE vehicle and was struck." Parra-Hernandez sustained what appeared to be a broken leg and is in ICE custody.
The Harris County Sheriff's Office is investigating the crash. Deputies were collecting video evidence from nearby buildings, and no arrests have been made. Mendoza-Cervantes had not been located as of Sunday afternoon.
Community advocates and family members of Parra-Hernandez held a news conference Sunday, expressing concern for his health. Cesar Espinosa, executive director at FIEL Houston, stated that Parra-Hernandez's leg is broken in three places and he is scheduled for surgery. Espinosa called for accountability from ICE and a transparent investigation.
Local officials, including Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones and County Attorney Abbie Kamin, have called for ICE to fully cooperate with the investigation and provide all evidence to the Harris County Sheriff's Office. Briones described the incident as "horrifying," and Kamin emphasized the public's right to clear and accurate answers.
This incident follows a separate event two days prior in New York City where ICE agents shot a man inside his car during an attempted arrest. ICE alleged that Oscar Belgal, a Dominican national, "weaponized his vehicle" during the encounter. Several New York City officials condemned the actions of the ICE agents in that incident.