# Michigan Father Dies in Crash After ICE Attempted Stop Investigation underway as family demands justice - **Source:** [Latest news RSS](https://feeds.ibtimes.co.uk/feeds/bhsz8.rss) - **Published:** 2026-09-25 - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/c6145974-aa91-4a73-926c-84040c37a4d4 ## Incident Overview Mario David Coronado Juarez, a Guatemalan father of three, died in a car crash after fleeing an attempted stop by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The vehicle crashed into a tree and caught fire on 20 September. ICE claims officers discontinued the enforcement action and were half a mile away when the crash occurred. Michigan State Police (MSP) is now investigating the incident. ## ICE's Statement The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees ICE, stated that officers ended the enforcement action for public safety reasons. The vehicle was registered to another individual deemed unlawfully present in the US and subject to removal to Guatemala. ICE alleges Juarez drove away at high speed. Officers reportedly attempted to assist Juarez and extinguish the fire before local responders arrived. ## Family's Reaction Juarez's wife, Macedonia, expressed her grief and demanded justice in an interview with Fox News 17 West Michigan. She recalled her children crying upon learning their father had not called. Juarez had been saving money to build a home for his family in Guatemala, where his wife and children reside. His death has sparked outrage among friends and immigrant rights activists. ## Political Response US Representative Hillary Scholten has requested detailed information from ICE about the incident. Her letter to acting ICE director David Venturella seeks clarity on why officers attempted to stop the vehicle, whether there was a warrant or removal order, and asks for preservation of body-camera and vehicle footage. Scholten's inquiry underscores growing scrutiny of ICE's actions. ## Local Police Involvement Grand Rapids police stated they had no prior involvement or knowledge of the incident until called to the crash site. Chief Joe Trigg requested MSP's assistance due to limited access to federal agents' information. MSP has been tasked with investigating the events leading to the crash, highlighting jurisdictional complexities in such cases. ## Community Outcry Juarez's death has galvanized immigrant rights activists, who are demanding transparency and accountability. Activists like Lowe have called for answers about the circumstances of the crash. The incident has reignited debates over ICE's enforcement practices and their impact on immigrant communities. ## Governor's Intervention Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer directed MSP to conduct an independent investigation into the incident. This move reflects heightened political sensitivity surrounding immigration enforcement and its consequences. The investigation aims to provide clarity on the actions of ICE officers and the events leading to Juarez's death. ## Broader Implications The incident underscores the tensions between federal immigration enforcement and local communities. It raises questions about ICE's protocols during enforcement actions and their impact on public safety. The investigation's findings could influence future policies and practices in immigration enforcement. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/michigan-father-dies-after-attempted-ice-stop-1822002 — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._