Harris County prosecutor investigates Houston collision as aggravated assault

Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare is investigating as possible aggravated assault the October 10 incident in Houston in which Miguel Parra Hernández was struck by a vehicle. The vehicle was driven by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer, and Parra Hernández was fleeing when he was hit. The incident fractured his leg in three places, according to information connected with the case.

Teare said the event was not accidental and is considering whether to bring charges against the officer. Prosecutors are interviewing witnesses and preparing the case for presentation to a grand jury. The criminal investigation centers on the aggravated-assault classification and the officer’s possible responsibility, matters that remain under examination.

The officer was removed from duty and placed on administrative leave after the collision. A senior Department of Homeland Security official announced the measure. Separately, ICE is conducting its own investigation while Teare leads the criminal inquiry in Harris County. The reported proceedings thus include the federal administrative response and review by local prosecutors.

The district attorney also said the federal government had not provided his office with body-camera video. Teare mentioned that material when describing the investigation’s status. Prosecutors continue gathering evidence and interviewing people connected to the incident while preparing the case for the grand jury.

Among steps related to the case, one witness testified from a detention center, and efforts are being made to allow witnesses to remain in the United States. Those actions accompany the interviews and grand-jury preparation. ICE, meanwhile, continues its own investigation into the incident involving Parra Hernández while Teare evaluates whether to charge the officer.