ICE Vehicle Involved in Incident with Man in Harris County, Texas

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas -- Surveillance video obtained by ABC13 shows an unmarked SUV carrying U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents running over a man during a pursuit at a shopping center in Texas on Saturday. The video from west Harris County shows a white pickup truck stopping along Clay Road, facing oncoming traffic. Two men exited the truck; one ran toward Highway 6, while the other, identified by ICE as Miguel Parra-Hernandez, ran through a shopping center parking lot. Moments later, a dark, unmarked SUV entered the parking lot and struck Parra-Hernandez. A witness, who spoke with ABC13 on the condition of anonymity, reported hearing Parra-Hernandez exclaim, "Ah! Ah! Ah! You broke my leg! You broke my leg!" The video shows Parra-Hernandez remaining on the ground for several minutes after being hit. The footage also appears to show an ICE agent entering the pickup truck Parra-Hernandez fled and moving it into the shopping center before leaving in another unmarked vehicle. HCSO Major Anthony McConnell stated, "I believe ICE agents moved it before we got there." ICE claimed in a statement that "Parra-Hernandez ran in front of an ICE vehicle and was struck." ABC13 contacted an ICE spokesperson, who stated that agents were attempting to arrest Jose Mendoza-Cervantes, their intended target. ICE alleges that Mendoza-Cervantes entered the United States illegally from Mexico five times and had a final order of removal issued by a judge. The agency also claims Parra-Hernandez is in the country illegally. ICE stated agents attempted to make the arrest and claimed Parra-Hernandez ran in front of their vehicle. However, the surveillance video appears to show the SUV veering left through empty parking spaces before hitting Parra-Hernandez. A witness described the incident as deeply unsettling, noting that it could have happened to him. The sheriff's office reported that ICE notified deputies that it needed emergency services following the crash. HCSO deputies indicated that their investigation would be limited to the crash and referred all questions related to the incidents leading up to it to ICE. Mendoza-Cervantes remains at large, according to investigators, while Parra-Hernandez is reported to be stable in the hospital. On Saturday, Harris County Attorney Abbie Kamin issued a statement regarding the incident, emphasizing the need for clear and accurate answers. She stated, "Time is of the essence in getting the facts, and the public deserves clear, accurate answers. ICE must cooperate fully with the local investigation. My office supports Sheriff Ed Gonzalez and District Attorney Sean Teare in their ongoing independent investigation, and the Harris County Attorney's Office stands ready to assist and support these critical efforts. We will continue to monitor developments closely as the facts become clear."