Houston ICE officer charged in hit-and-run of construction worker

According to the Harris County District Attorney’s office, Morales was driving an unmarked black vehicle when he hit Parra Hernandez, who was running away. Parra Hernandez sustained a broken leg and was taken into custody.

This case is being prosecuted by District Attorney Sean Teare, who is also investigating the July shooting death of Mexican homebuilder Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, an event that sparked protests in Houston.

ICE initially claimed Parra Hernandez stepped in front of the vehicle and called accusations of intentional striking “reckless.” However, surveillance footage contradicts this account, showing a Jeep Cherokee speeding over a median toward Parra Hernandez.

Further questions have arisen regarding ICE’s description of the operation. ICE identified Jose Mendoza-Cervantes as the target, claiming he was seen entering a vehicle with Parra Hernandez. Family members of Parra Hernandez have never heard of Mendoza-Cervantes, and an immigrant rights group, FIEL, stated that Mendoza-Cervantes’ daughter says his real name is Jose Hector Jimenez and that he died in 2017. ICE has not responded to these claims.

District Attorney Teare alleges that the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, has not cooperated with the investigation and accuses ICE of potentially destroying evidence. He stated that the ICE officer fled the scene before the vehicle could be impounded.

Parra Hernandez has resided in the United States for over 30 years and was living in the country without authorization.

Teare has also criticized DHS for a lack of cooperation regarding the shooting death of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, where DHS claims Salgado Araujo “weaponized his vehicle” before an officer fired in self-defense, a claim disputed by other passengers.