Details of the Incident

On Saturday, the video captured a white pickup truck pulling over along Clay Road, facing oncoming traffic. Two men exited the vehicle; one identified as Miguel Parra-Hernandez fled through the parking lot of a shopping center while the other man ran towards Highway 6.

Shortly thereafter, an unmarked dark SUV entered the parking lot and struck Parra-Hernandez as he was running.

Witness Accounts

A witness, wishing to remain anonymous, recounted hearing Parra-Hernandez shout, “Ah! Ah! Ah! You broke my leg! You broke my leg!” shortly after the collision. The footage indicates that Parra-Hernandez remained on the ground for several minutes following the incident.

Agent Actions and Vehicle Movements

The surveillance video also appears to show an ICE agent entering the pickup truck that Parra-Hernandez had fled from, subsequently moving it into the shopping center parking lot before departing in another unmarked vehicle. Harris County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) Major Anthony McConnell suggested it was likely that ICE agents relocated the vehicle prior to the HCSO’s arrival.

ICE’s Response and Allegations

According to ICE’s statement, they assert that Parra-Hernandez ran in front of their vehicle at the time of the incident. The agency was reportedly attempting to arrest Jose Mendoza-Cervantes, identified as their primary target in this operation. Mendoza-Cervantes has an alleged history of illegal border crossings, having entered the U.S. from Mexico five times, and purportedly has a final order of removal.

ICE also indicated that Parra-Hernandez is believed to be residing in the country illegally. However, the surveillance footage raises questions about the circumstances leading to the collision, as it seems to depict the SUV maneuvering through empty parking spaces before making contact with Parra-Hernandez.

Investigation and Community Reaction

The HCSO stated that their investigation would concentrate solely on the crash, directing any questions regarding preceding events to ICE. Parra-Hernandez is currently stable and receiving treatment in a local hospital, while Mendoza-Cervantes is still at large.

Harris County Attorney Abbie Kamin called for transparency, emphasizing the need for clarity on the facts surrounding the incident. In her statement, she noted:

“Time is of the essence in getting the facts, and the public deserves clear, accurate answers.”