Michigan Father of Three Dies in Fiery Crash After Attempted ICE Stop as Police Investigate

A Michigan father of three died after crashing his car into a tree and catching fire after driving away from an attempted stop by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), while federal officials say agents immediately discontinued the enforcement action and were about half a mile away when they saw smoke from the crash.

Mario David Coronado Juarez, a Guatemalan man in his 30s who supported his wife and three children through construction work in Grand Rapids, died at the scene on Sunday, 20 September.

In an interview with Fox News 17 West Michigan, Juarez's wife, Macedonia, said to reporters, 'What happened Sunday morning cannot go without justice being served.'

Michigan State Police (MSP) is now conducting an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident after Governor Gretchen Whitmer directed the agency to review the law enforcement actions. Grand Rapids police said Juarez drove away after immigration officers attempted to stop the vehicle.

ICE Says Officers Ended Enforcement Action

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees ICE, has disputed suggestions that its officers were engaged in a high-speed pursuit when the crash happened.

DHS said the vehicle was registered to another person whom the agency said was in the US unlawfully and subject to removal to Guatemala.

The agency alleged Juarez then drove away at high speed. ICE officers 'immediately discontinued the enforcement action' in the interest of public safety, according to the department.

DHS said officers were around half a mile away when they saw smoke. They then discovered that the vehicle had crashed into a tree and caught fire. Officers reportedly attempted to help Juarez and put out the fire before Grand Rapids first responders arrived.

Grand Rapids police have said the department had no involvement in or knowledge of the incident before officers were called to the crash site.

Chief Joe Trigg requested assistance from MSP because local investigators have limited ability to obtain information from federal agents about events preceding the crash. MSP has since been tasked with investigating what happened.

Father Was Supporting Wife and Three Children

Juarez's wife also recalled the moment she discovered what happened with Fox News: 'I just felt sad because he didn't call me. Then I told my kids, 'I don't know why your dad isn't calling.' They started to cry.' She added, 'We are left alone without Mario.'

Lowe said Juarez had been saving money to build a home for his family in Guatemala, where his wife and children live. His death has prompted anger among friends and immigrant rights activists

Lowe and other activists have called for answers about the circumstances leading to the crash, while US Representative Hillary Scholten has asked ICE for more information about the incident.

Scholten's letter to acting ICE director David Venturella requested details about why officers attempted to stop the vehicle and whether there was a warrant, removal order, or other investigation connected to the person whose name was associated with the car. She also asked ICE to preserve and provide relevant body-camera and vehicle footage.