Newark, New Jersey – A car chase involving federal immigration enforcement officers led to a crash involving an SUV on Wednesday in Newark, New Jersey, city officials said.
mayor Ras Baraka He said On social media That U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents attempted to stop a truck in the state’s largest city when the driver fled. He said Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents pursued the car, leading to an accident involving several vehicles, including a car carrying three children.
Baraka said that the truck driver was injured and taken to the hospital.
It was not immediately clear the extent of the driver’s injuries or why ICE was pursuing the person. Newark police were not involved in the ICE investigation and only responded to the incident, Baraka said.
Spokespeople for Baraka, Newark police, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement did not immediately respond to emails seeking comment.
But the Democratic mayor, in his statement on X, criticized ICE’s actions as reckless and dangerous. He noted that New Jersey law prohibits law enforcement officials from pursuing vehicles unless the suspect poses an immediate threat.
“Federal authorities must adhere to local laws regarding vehicle pursuits and exercise common sense,” Baraka said. “Based on the harm they are doing to our communities, ICE has no right to engage in chases anytime, anywhere — but especially in densely populated areas, and on roads still being cleared from a major snowstorm.”
It was a blessing He was arrested and charged He was charged with trespassing while protesting last May in front of Delaney Hall, a newly opened federal detention center in his city. It was the charge He was later fired.