Texas DA Seeks to Question Witnesses in ICE Vehicle Incident

The Harris County District Attorney's office is seeking to interview two individuals who were allegedly in the backseat of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) vehicle during an incident last Saturday in which an agent struck a man during a pursuit.

DA Sean Teare stated that his office has identified the two ICE detainees who were present when an unidentified agent struck Miguel Parra-Hernandez at a strip mall outside Houston. Teare told ABC News that his office was unable to interview the individuals at the scene because federal agents had already transported them to a detention facility.

ICE stated that one of its agents was pursuing Jose Mendoza-Cervantes, described as a Mexican national with a criminal record and a final order of removal, and observed him enter a vehicle with Parra. According to ICE and the Harris County Sheriff's Office, both Mendoza-Cervantes and Parra-Hernandez, who ICE alleges is also undocumented, fled their vehicle on foot.

Surveillance video reviewed by ABC News appears to show the ICE vehicle moving toward a running man and striking him. An ICE spokesperson asserted that Parra "ran in front of an ICE vehicle" when he was hit, calling allegations of an intentional strike "reckless and false." The spokesperson added that ICE agents are held to high professional standards.

ICE has not commented on Teare's assertion that two individuals were in the backseat of the vehicle during the incident. Mendoza-Cervantes remains at large.

Parra, who is in stable condition at a hospital, has not been charged with a crime, according to the DA's office. The DA's office is gathering further evidence and may consider charges against the ICE agent for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Investigators plan to attempt an interview with the ICE agent involved.