Texas grand jury charges ICE officer with aggravated assault for allegedly swerving SUV into immigrant: ‘Got hit with the car, bro’
Miguel Parra Hernandez may never walk again.
A Texas grand jury has indicted ICE officer Mario Alberto Morales on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. According to NBC News, this development follows an October 10, 2026, incident in Houston where Morales allegedly drove his SUV into Miguel Parra Hernandez. The indictment, returned by a Harris County grand jury on October 30, 2026, marks the first time an immigration agent has faced such a charge in Texas.
Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare shared the news during a press conference, noting that the second-degree felony carries a potential sentence of two to 20 years. Teare was firm about the weight of the evidence collected by his office. He stated, “The evidence that we have in this case is as clear as any that I’ve ever prosecuted or investigated.”
To support this, Teare released edited body-camera footage from Morales alongside surveillance video captured by a local business. The footage shows the officer steering sharply to the left, followed by a wail from Hernandez. When the officer exits the vehicle, he finds Hernandez on the pavement. In the recording, the officer is heard saying, “Got hit with the car, bro.”
The collision resulted in significant injuries for Hernandez
Hernandez suffered a broken leg, as well as hip and ankle trauma. He is currently in federal custody at a rehabilitation facility. Teare described Hernandez’ current state as physically struggling with constant pain and mentally deteriorating, noting that the man has lived in the United States for 34 years without a criminal record.
Teare expressed concern that Hernandez may never walk again. He added, “So, it’s inhumane treatment on top of inhumane treatment, and anyone would struggle to stand up to that.”
ICE has maintained a different version of events. In a statement, the agency claimed Hernandez “ran in front of an ICE vehicle and was struck.” ICE officials characterized the accusations that Morales intentionally hit Hernandez as “reckless” and “false.” Furthermore, an ICE spokesperson argued that the indictment is “nothing more than a political stunt by Houston sanctuary politicians.” The agency insists that local governments lack the authority to investigate federal officers who are performing their duties.
The legal representative for Morales, David A. Lindenmuth, argued that his client is being charged with “a crime created out of thin air.” Lindenmuth claims Morales was reacting to an oncoming truck stopped near a blue dumpster and had to choose between a head-on collision or deviating his vehicle.
“This wasn’t something that Mr. Morales was looking for. He wasn’t trying to harm anybody,” Lindenmuth stated. He defended Morales as a man of faith and a former military police officer who had never faced accusations of excessive force before this incident.
Questions have also emerged regarding the nature of the ICE operation that day
ICE stated they were targeting a man named Jose Mendoza-Cervantes. However, Hernandez’ family members and immigrant rights groups reported that Mendoza-Cervantes has been dead since 2017. Teare’s office also noted that investigators found no evidence that Hernandez and the target were in a vehicle together, which contradicts the initial narrative provided by ICE.
The investigation into this collision was notably fast. Teare mentioned that his office and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office were able to reach the scene quickly. This allowed them to collect evidence before it could be moved or altered.
Teare also pointed out that other individuals who were in the ICE vehicle during the incident were handcuffed and shackled, a practice he described as unacceptable for any law enforcement agency. He expressed frustration that witnesses were being moved out of the area without providing statements to local investigators.
This case is not the only incident involving federal officers currently under review in the area
Teare’s office is also investigating the fatal shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, which took place in July during a vehicle stop. According to CNN, Teare has previously accused the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) of failing to cooperate with his investigations and suggested that evidence has been lost or destroyed.
Regarding the current indictment, Teare emphasized that he does not view federal status as a shield for misconduct. “An ICE badge does not give you free rein to injure, kill, or violate the constitutional rights of anyone,” he said.
The District Attorney remains focused on the legal process, and a warrant has been issued for the arrest of Morales. As the case proceeds, it highlights a deep tension between local authorities and federal immigration enforcement regarding accountability and the limits of agency power during field operations.
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