Texas ICE Officer Indicted on Felony After Allegedly Hitting Man With Vehicle
Indictment follows pursuit
A Texas district attorney announced Friday that ICE officer Morales was indicted on a felony over the alleged incident earlier this month. Teare said Morales pursued a vehicle driven by Parra-Hernandez on Oct. 10.
During the pursuit, Parra-Hernandez and another person left the vehicle and ran on foot. At a Friday news conference, Teare played video showing Morales hitting Parra-Hernandez with the vehicle.
Video and injury details
Footage described by Teare as coming from Morales’ body camera showed Parra-Hernandez groaning on the ground after being struck. Teare said the vehicle was a 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Parra-Hernandez suffered a broken leg in the incident. Teare said that if Morales is convicted, the punishment could be between two and 20 years in prison.
Accounts of pursuit differ
An ICE spokesperson said in a statement to CBS News shortly after the incident that Parra-Hernandez ran in front of the ICE vehicle. Teare also said ICE had stated that agents were pursuing Jose Mendoza-Cervantes, whom the agency described as a Mexican national and undocumented immigrant. Teare said Friday that Mendoza-Cervantes had apparently been dead for nine years.
Key points
- Morales, an ICE officer, was indicted on a felony after allegedly hitting Parra-Hernandez with a vehicle.
- The pursuit took place on Oct. 10, and another person also fled on foot.
- Parra-Hernandez suffered a broken leg; Teare said a conviction could bring two to 20 years in prison.
- Teare said ICE named a man in its account who had apparently been dead for nine years.