Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Illegal Immigrant Flees ICE Stop Attempt — Slams Into Tree, Car Bursts Into Flames, Dies
Freightwire ^ | 2026.09.28 | Jake Pemberton | 2026.09.28

Posted on 09/28/2026 3:42:37 PM PDT by Responsibility2nd

A 35-year-old Guatemalan man died after crashing into a tree and his vehicle caught fire in Grand Rapids, Michigan, following an attempted traffic stop by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, according to local police. Grand Rapids Police said ICE agents attempted to stop the vehicle before the driver fled. Relatives identified the man as Mario David Coronado Juarez and said he had been living and working in Grand Rapids for about seven years without legal immigration status.

The crash happened around 7 a.m. Sept. 20 near Century Avenue SW and McKendrick Street SW. Police said Coronado Juarez was alone in the vehicle when it struck a tree and caught fire, killing him at the scene. Nearby residents told local media that unmarked law enforcement vehicles and officers wearing tactical gear were already at the scene before local police and firefighters arrived.

Grand Rapids Police said the department had no involvement in the events leading up to the crash and has asked Michigan State Police to assist with the investigation. Police said their ability to determine what happened before the collision has been limited by difficulties obtaining information from federal agents. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer separately directed state police to conduct an independent review of the law enforcement actions surrounding the incident. The Department of Homeland Security had not publicly provided additional details about the attempted stop.

Relatives said Coronado Juarez worked in construction and sent money to his wife and three children in Guatemala. The crash has also prompted demonstrations in Grand Rapids, where immigration advocacy groups have called for greater transparency about ICE’s actions before the collision. State and local investigators are now working to establish the timeline leading up to the fatal crash and determine whether any additional action is warranted.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: consequences; illegal
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-20, 21-40, 41-60 next last

Unfortunately the article does not report on the condition of the tree.

1 posted on 09/28/2026 3:42:37 PM PDT by Responsibility2nd
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Responsibility2nd

Obligatory Jerry Seinfeld pic to appear in 5... 4... 3...


2 posted on 09/28/2026 3:43:37 PM PDT by Responsibility2nd
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Responsibility2nd

I’m so sorry to hear about this. I sincerely hope they can replace that tree quickly.


3 posted on 09/28/2026 3:43:48 PM PDT by Sgt_Schultze (When your business model depends on slave labor, you're always going to need more slaves. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Responsibility2nd

The car died?


4 posted on 09/28/2026 3:45:58 PM PDT by ifinnegan (Democrats kill babies and harvest their organs to sell)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Responsibility2nd

Mario David Coronado Juarez checks a lot of boxes!

* Italian
* Old Testament Hebrew
* Spain
* Mexico

But, most of all, MICHIGAN MAN!


5 posted on 09/28/2026 3:46:22 PM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Responsibility2nd

Taking self deportation to the next level...


6 posted on 09/28/2026 3:49:00 PM PDT by Crusher138 ("Then conquer we must, for our cause it is just")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Responsibility2nd

7 posted on 09/28/2026 3:52:23 PM PDT by Libloather (Why do climate change hoax deniers live in mansions on the beach?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ifinnegan

😢 apparently.


8 posted on 09/28/2026 3:52:34 PM PDT by Texas Eagle (If it wasn't for double-standards, Liberals would have no standards at all. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Responsibility2nd

In a related story, “activists” are petitioning Judge Boasberg to mandate a nonprofit to reach out to every illegal trespasser and educate them on the existence, and danger, of trees.


9 posted on 09/28/2026 3:52:51 PM PDT by Ronaldus Magnus III (Do, or do not, there is no try. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Responsibility2nd

What kind of tree?


10 posted on 09/28/2026 3:53:42 PM PDT by Texas Eagle (If it wasn't for double-standards, Liberals would have no standards at all. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Responsibility2nd

Don’t you just hate it when those Trees jump in front of you


11 posted on 09/28/2026 3:53:44 PM PDT by butlerweave (Fateh)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Responsibility2nd

Give the tree the Medal of Freedom.


12 posted on 09/28/2026 3:54:28 PM PDT by RetiredArmy (The Bible speaks truth! Don't believe it, you do so at your own peril. You'd better be right!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Responsibility2nd

It appears we have a job opening in Grand Rapids.


13 posted on 09/28/2026 3:54:45 PM PDT by FrdmLvr
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Crusher138

Make Guatemala an American protectorate and watch them return. Send troops along with those who won’t return. They won’t get killed.

They need more capitalism even if it has to be forced on them.


14 posted on 09/28/2026 3:54:54 PM PDT by DIRTYSECRET
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: ifinnegan

bttt


15 posted on 09/28/2026 3:55:55 PM PDT by BenLurkin (The above is not a statement of fact. It is opinion or satire. Or both.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Responsibility2nd

Hopefully somebody had already filled out and mailed in his ballot.


16 posted on 09/28/2026 3:56:55 PM PDT by Texas Eagle (If it wasn't for double-standards, Liberals would have no standards at all. )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Libloather

Jorge of the Jungle!


17 posted on 09/28/2026 3:57:12 PM PDT by lee martell
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Texas Eagle

“What kind of tree?”


Ash


18 posted on 09/28/2026 3:57:13 PM PDT by Ken H (FReeper #240 - Dec 05, 1997)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: Responsibility2nd

Trees have a way of being a frequent point of rest for errant vehicles.


19 posted on 09/28/2026 3:57:57 PM PDT by BenLurkin (The above is not a statement of fact. It is opinion or satire. Or both.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Responsibility2nd

“Whiskey bottle, brand new car. Oak tree you’re in my way...”


20 posted on 09/28/2026 4:01:28 PM PDT by Fledermaus (Free Republic is going to be intolerable during the Republican Presidential primary in 2028.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-20, 21-40, 41-60 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson