FIEL Houston and the family of Miguel Parra-Hernandez are expected to share new information and introduce additional witnesses Wednesday in the case of the 48-year-old man struck by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement vehicle in northwest Harris County.
The news conference is scheduled for 11 a.m. at FIEL Houston’s office as questions continue about the circumstances surrounding the Oct. 10 incident and ICE’s account of what happened.
FIEL Houston Executive Director Cesar Espinosa said the organization has information from additional firsthand witnesses who can challenge the claim that Parra-Hernandez was among the people ICE agents intended to apprehend
“We have new information in terms of witnesses that can give a first-hand account of what happened the morning of October 10 in northwest Houston,” Espinosa said in a press advisory. He said the witnesses can corroborate that none of them was the intended target ICE has identified.
Parra-Hernandez was struck by an ICE vehicle on Oct. 10 near Clay Road and Highway 6 while agents were pursuing a driver with an active warrant, according to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.
He suffered multiple injuries, including a right leg broken in three places and a fractured ankle, according to FIEL Houston. He has undergone surgery and faces additional procedures.
ICE has said Parra-Hernandez ran in front of an agent’s vehicle as officers attempted to apprehend people who fled on foot. His family and representatives have disputed the agency’s account.
The Harris County District Attorney’s Office has also launched an independent criminal investigation. District Attorney Sean Teare said investigators were unable to download the vehicle’s crash data before ICE removed it. The office is examining whether the agent’s actions could support an aggravated assault charge.
FIEL Houston says the news conference will include Parra-Hernandez’s family, organization representatives and families of other key witnesses.
The event is expected to provide additional witness information as investigators continue examining the incident.
KPRC 2 will update this story with new details from the news conference.
