Man tried to flee ICE agents in Grand Rapids, crashed into tree, and died on the spot. Dem lawmaker says: ‘No traffic stop should end with a fatality’

A man is dead after a vehicle crash occurred during an attempted stop by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the Detroit Free Press reported. The incident took place on Sunday, September 20, at approximately 7:10 AM, leading to a fatal outcome that has prompted calls for a thorough investigation.

The man, identified as Mario David Coronado Juarez, was driving southwest near Century Avenue and McKendrick Street when his vehicle hit a tree. The impact caused the car to catch fire, and the driver, who was the only person in the vehicle, was pronounced dead at the scene. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents had attempted to stop the vehicle prior to the collision, at which point the driver fled.

Local law enforcement stated that the Grand Rapids Police Department had no involvement or prior knowledge of the situation before they were called to the crash site. Because of the nature of the event, Grand Rapids Police Chief Joseph Trigg is requesting that the Michigan State Police take over the investigation.

Chief Trigg noted the complexity of the case in a statement regarding the transfer of oversight

Trigg said, “MSP, under the direction of the governor and attorney general, may be in a better position to determine the timeframe and any other potentially relevant circumstances, and any next steps that may be appropriate.”

This situation has drawn immediate attention from local officials. U.S. Representative Hillary Scholten, a Democrat from Grand Rapids, has formally contacted the acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, David Venturella, to demand clarity on the events of that morning. She emphasized the need for transparency regarding how the interaction escalated to a fatal crash.

In her statement, Scholten addressed the gravity of the incident. She said, “No traffic stop should end with a fatality. Something went wrong, and we need to know what and how. I have sent a letter to Immigration and Customs Enforcement demanding immediate answers about what happened and a transparent investigation into facts we don’t yet know, so that we can prevent something like this from ever happening again.”

Scholten further highlighted her expectations for federal agencies operating within the community. She said, “The purpose of federal law enforcement is to make our communities safer. We must make sure that is happening. I will continue to monitor this situation closely and remain in close contact with federal and local law enforcement until our community gets the answers we deserve.”