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Updated: May 9, 2026 — Federal immigration agents conducting a vehicle stop in the Houston area over the weekend watched two men sprint away from a white pickup truck. One of them, Miguel Parra-Hernandez, was later found lying in a parking lot with two broken legs after being struck by an unmarked SUV linked to ICE agents. The exact sequence of events is still under investigation by the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, with help from the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.
Officials have not said whether the agent behind the wheel will face internal discipline or criminal review. The case has also focused attention on ICE’s vehicle-stop tactics, which the agency tightened after two fatal officer-involved shootings earlier this year.
Surveillance footage reviewed by CNN shows Parra-Hernandez jumping out of the white pickup truck and running into a parking lot near Houston. An unmarked black SUV then appears to follow him into the lot. The moment of impact is blocked from view by a parked pickup truck, which hides the critical seconds of the incident.
After the parked truck drives away, Parra-Hernandez is visible on the ground, with the black SUV stopped nearby. The video does not make clear whether the SUV was intentionally used to stop the man, or whether he ran into its path.
Kim Bruno, an attorney representing Parra-Hernandez, said her client is an undocumented immigrant from Mexico who has lived in the U.S. since he was 14 years old. Bruno said he had been in the country for 34 years and had no prior criminal history or encounters with immigration authorities.
“He’s a good guy, nothing on his record at all,” Bruno said. “No encounters or apprehensions with immigration, ever.”
Bruno added that Parra-Hernandez was expected to undergo surgery for two broken legs. She did not name a hospital or provide an updated condition report. ICE officials said earlier that his injuries were non-life-threatening and that he was in stable condition.
An ICE spokesperson said Parra-Hernandez “ran in front of an ICE vehicle” during the attempted stop. The agency said agents “immediately contacted EMS and provided aid” after the collision.
The target of the ICE operation was Jose Mendoza-Cervantes, described by the agency as an undocumented immigrant and a “public safety threat.” ICE said Mendoza-Cervantes had several prior arrests for driving under the influence and for unlawful possession of a firearm. He remains unaccounted for, and authorities have not said whether they have leads on his location.
Maj. Anthony McConnell of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office said one of the ICE agents was trying to “box in” Parra-Hernandez when he was struck. McConnell leads the sheriff’s office’s special investigations bureau and is overseeing the response.
The Houston case is drawing scrutiny because it involves a federal agent’s use of a vehicle during an immigration enforcement action. Legal observers say the key question is whether the SUV was used deliberately as an enforcement tool or whether the collision was accidental.
Under Texas use-of-force standards, law enforcement officers may use deadly force only when there is an immediate threat to themselves or others. Vehicle strikes are treated with special seriousness because they can cause catastrophic injuries. No charges have been announced, and prosecutors have not commented on potential liability.
The Harris County District Attorney’s Office has confirmed it is assisting with the investigation but has not said whether criminal charges are being considered. ICE also has not said whether the agent involved has been placed on administrative leave.
The incident comes at a time of heightened scrutiny of ICE enforcement tactics. In July, two immigrants died after being shot by ICE officers in separate incidents: Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston and Joan Sebastian Durán Guerrero in Biddeford, Maine.
After those deaths, ICE issued new internal guidance that restricts vehicle stops. Under the updated rules reviewed by CNN, agents can conduct vehicle stops only after completing related training courses, and any vehicle used for such stops must be equipped with lights and sirens.
It is not yet clear whether the Houston agents who attempted the stop had completed those training requirements, or whether the unmarked black SUV was authorized for vehicle-stop operations. Officials have not released additional policy details.
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office is asking for more surveillance footage from the parking lot and surrounding businesses. Investigators are also looking for witnesses who may have seen the pursuit unfold from a different angle.
A final determination of what happened will likely depend on a combination of video evidence, witness statements, and the agents’ own account of the encounter. If prosecutors determine the use of the vehicle was unjustified, the case could be referred for criminal review. If not, the broader question of whether ICE should continue using unmarked vehicles for enforcement stops is expected to remain a public concern.
Parra-Hernandez, once released from the hospital, could still face removal proceedings, according to immigration law experts. But his attorney has indicated that his legal priority is recovering from the serious injuries he suffered during the incident.
The investigation remains ongoing, with no official timeline for release of additional information.
