Miguel Parra-Hernandez, 48, remains hospitalized and in federal custody after being struck by an SUV during an operation in west Harris County. The Harris County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) is investigating the crash, and the family questions ICE’s account.
HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — The family of Miguel Parra-Hernandez requested his release from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody as the 48-year-old man continues to be hospitalized for injuries suffered after being struck by a vehicle belonging to the agency during an immigration operation.
The incident occurred on the morning of Saturday, October 10, near Clay Road and Highway 6 in west Harris County. Parra-Hernandez was not the primary target of the operation, according to ICE.
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) is investigating the crash and has collected surveillance footage from nearby businesses. ICE’s account of how the impact occurred is being questioned by Parra-Hernandez’s family and by FIEL Houston, a local immigrant advocacy organization.
The family requests Miguel Parra-Hernandez be released while he receives treatment
Family members and representatives of FIEL Houston gathered Sunday near the incident site to urge Parra-Hernandez’s release from federal custody as he continues his recovery.
The family reported that he suffered fractures in both legs and needed surgery. FIEL had initially indicated that one of his legs was fractured in three places.
Miguel Parra-Hernandez was struck by ICE vehicles on October 10. Screenshot
ICE described his injuries as non-fatal and said he was transported to a hospital in stable condition. The agency confirmed that he remains in their custody.
The family also said Parra-Hernandez was on his way to work when the operation began, and that he has no criminal record. ICE did not publicly attribute to Parra-Hernandez the criminal history it did mention when describing the man who was the target of the operation.
ICE says the operation aimed to arrest another man
ICE said its agents were conducting a targeted operation against Jose Mendoza-Cervantes, whom the agency identified as a Mexican citizen with a final deportation order.
The agency stated that Mendoza-Cervantes had a history of arrests, and that surveillance agents observed Mendoza-Cervantes and Parra-Hernandez enter a vehicle before attempting to detain them.
The two men later exited the vehicle and ran on foot. Mendoza-Cervantes managed to escape, and remained at large after the incident, according to ICE.
Regarding the moment of the crash, ICE maintained that Parra-Hernandez ran in front of a vehicle belonging to the agency and was struck. ICE also said that its agents immediately sought medical assistance and rendered aid.
Videos show an SUV entering the parking lot before the impact
Surveillance footage released by local outlets shows a white SUV stopped on Clay Road and two men emerging from the vehicle.
Parra-Hernandez is seen running through the parking lot of a shopping center as a dark, unmarked SUV enters the area. The vehicle turns toward him and strikes him.
The footage shows part of the chase and the crash, but does not document everything that happened before the men exited the SUV.
The HCSO said its Vehicle Crimes Division is investigating the incident. The sheriff’s office also sought additional video from nearby businesses to reconstruct what occurred.
Harris County asks ICE to hand over all evidence in Miguel Parra’s case
Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones urged ICE to fully cooperate with the local investigation and to provide any video related to the incident.
Briones noted that the crash occurred within Precinct 4 and called for transparency about the circumstances that led to the impact.
The federal representative Sylvia Garcia also called for preservation of the evidence and a full investigation into what happened.
As of Monday, October 12, HCSO had not announced charges related to Miguel’s crash, and the investigation remained open.
Related: Witnesses contradict ICE’s version in the Lorenzo Salgado case
Miguel Parra-Hernandez remains in custody while the investigation continues
Miguel’s family and his legal representation continue seeking Parra-Hernandez’s release while he receives medical care. No public decision has been announced by ICE on that request.
HCSO continues to keep the investigation open into the incident at Clay Road and Highway 6. ICE has not publicly identified the agent who was driving the SUV involved.
