A fatal car crash occurred in Grand Rapids, Michigan, after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents attempted to stop a driver. Grand Rapids police provided details on the incident, which happened over the weekend, on Tuesday.

Neighbors who spoke to Nexstar’s WOOD reported that ICE agents were the first to arrive at the crash scene on Sunday. Relatives identified the deceased as Mario David Coronado Juarez, an undocumented immigrant from Guatemala. He had been residing and working in Grand Rapids for approximately seven years.

The crash occurred on September 20, 2026, resulting in the death of Coronado Juarez. According to the Grand Rapids Police Department (GRPD), ICE agents tried to stop the vehicle he was driving, leading to the driver fleeing, which ended in a crash and vehicle fire around 7 a.m.

Another GRPD report released hours later indicated that officers were called to the area of Century Avenue SW and McKendrick Street SW, where they found a car crashed into a tree and engulfed in flames. Coronado Juarez, the sole occupant, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Neighbors reported hearing a loud noise resembling a sonic boom and described seeing various vehicles parked in the area. One neighbor recorded the scene, observing what appeared to be unmarked law enforcement vehicles and individuals wearing bulletproof vests.

A witness commented, “That’s not a police car,” referencing an unmarked tan sedan captured in cellphone footage, confirming, “That’s immigration right there, too.” The neighbor estimated the presence of seven to nine unmarked vehicles.

Police and fire officials arrived after the unmarked vehicles, with a fire truck blocking neighbors’ views of the ongoing situation. Residents expressed concern over ICE’s operations, highlighting Coronado Juarez’s routine life as a construction worker supporting his family in Guatemala.

Family members shared that Coronado Juarez left relatives behind, including his children, to work in the U.S. and send financial support home. An acquaintance described him as a “good person” who focused on work and family, staying out of trouble.

The GRPD requested assistance from the Michigan State Police for the investigation. A GRPD spokesperson mentioned limitations in gathering information from federal agents about the crash’s events. Due to the investigation’s complexity, MSP was sought to help determine the timeframe and assess any relevant circumstances or next steps.

Grand Rapids police indicated no prior knowledge or involvement in the incident before responding to the crash site. The Department of Homeland Security did not provide immediate comment.