ICE Pursuit Ends in Fatal Grand Rapids Crash, Details Emerge

Fatal Car Crash in Grand Rapids: Federal Agent’s Emergency Call Sheds Light on Incident

A call for help made by a federal agent following a tragic car accident in Grand Rapids last month provides new insights into the event. The crash involved Mario David Coronado-Juarez, an immigrant from Guatemala who had been working in the city.

According to family friends, Coronado-Juarez had relocated from a disadvantaged region in Guatemala and was employed in construction, sending earnings back to his family.

On September 20, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) attempted a traffic stop on Coronado-Juarez on the southwest side of the city. However, he fled, prompting ICE to disengage the pursuit, as reported by the Department of Homeland Security, which manages ICE.

“We tried lighting a guy up and he wouldn’t stop so we turned our lights off,” an ICE agent communicated to dispatchers. Shortly after, agents noticed smoke about half a mile away from where the stop attempt was made and proceeded to the location to provide assistance.

“He looks DOA,” the agent remarked, employing the Homeland Security Department’s acronym for “dead on arrival.” The agent reported that the vehicle was severely damaged and appeared to have a single occupant.

The dispatcher’s inquiry about the presence of a partner was met with, “There’s a bunch of us out here,” though the agent’s name was omitted in the audio released by the Grand Rapids Police Department. When asked about the initial reason for the stop, the agent replied, “Yeah. I’d have to ask my partner.”

The information was acquired by Michigan Public via a records request to the Grand Rapids Police Department. Despite the response from the Grand Rapids Fire Department and police, Coronado-Juarez could not be saved.

The incident is currently under investigation by the Michigan State Police.

Reporting by Michigan Public’s Dustin Dwyer and Adam Yahya Rayes.

—
Read More Michigan News