Fatal Car Crash in Grand Rapids Involving ICE Agents

A tragic event unfolded in Grand Rapids, Michigan, when a fatal car crash occurred following an intervention by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The incident took place over the weekend, and Grand Rapids police provided details on Tuesday.

Witnesses stated that ICE agents were first to arrive at the crash site, confirming that the deceased was Mario David Coronado Juarez, an undocumented immigrant from Guatemala residing in Grand Rapids for about seven years. The crash happened at approximately 7 a.m. on September 20, 2026.

According to a release from the Grand Rapids Police Department (GRPD), ICE agents attempted to stop Coronado Juarez’s vehicle, leading to a chase that resulted in a crash. The crash site was located at the intersection of Century Avenue SW and McKendrick Street SW, where the car collided with a tree and caught fire. Coronado Juarez was the sole occupant of the vehicle and died at the scene.

“About seven o’clock, we hear a ‘boom,’” a neighbor recounted. “It was like a sonic boom. So I got up, looked outside, and saw the car smoking.”

The neighbor’s observations included unmarked law enforcement vehicles and individuals in bulletproof vests, highlighting the involvement of ICE. The fire department and police arrived after ICE agents, positioning a fire truck close to the scene to block views from neighbors.

Coronado Juarez had left his family in Guatemala, choosing to work in the U.S. to support them financially. A family friend described him as a diligent worker, committed to sending money back home for his children.

The GRPD has requested assistance from the Michigan State Police due to the investigation’s complexity involving federal agents. Chief Trigg asked for collaboration with state authorities, under the leadership of the governor and attorney general, to address the investigation’s challenges.

Grand Rapids police were not informed or involved prior to the crash call. The Department of Homeland Security has yet to comment on the incident.

This report includes contributions from Katherine Connolly of Nexstar’s WOOD, and remains protected by Nexstar Media Inc. Copyright 2026. All rights reserved.