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Guatemalan man dies in fiery crash fleeing ICE traffic stop in Michigan

Sep 23, 2026·Location: Grand Rapids, MI

Country of origin: Guatemala

Mario David Coronado Juarez, a 36-year-old Guatemalan construction worker from Tuichilupe village in Comitancillo, San Marcos, died Sunday, Sept. 20, when his vehicle struck a tree and burst into flames in Grand Rapids, Michigan, while fleeing an attempted ICE traffic stop. He had worked in the U.S. for six to seven years to support his wife, two daughters and a son, and was building a house for his family. DHS said ICE officers had been trying to stop him to confirm his identity, mistaking him for a different Guatemalan man they were seeking, and that officers discontinued the pursuit and tried to render aid after the crash. Community members, including volunteer Karla Barberi of Cosecha Grand Rapids, described him as "a hard-working man for the working class" and "an honest man" who "was not a criminal." Grand Rapids Police Chief Joseph Trigg requested that Michigan State Police investigate, citing limited cooperation from federal agencies, and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ordered an independent review. Rep. Hillary Scholten sent a letter to ICE demanding a transparent investigation, and the Guatemalan Consulate is coordinating repatriation of his remains while a GoFundMe and community vigil were organized to help his family, who could not initially afford the trip to begin repatriation proceedings.

Timeline

Sep 23, 2026Community organizes a GoFundMe for repatriation costs and plans a vigil at the crash site; Guatemalan Consulate coordinates return of his remains.
Sep 22, 2026DHS states ICE agents mistook Coronado Juarez for another Guatemalan man they were seeking and had tried to render aid after the crash.
Sep 21, 2026Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer orders an independent review of the incident.
Sep 21, 2026Rep. Hillary Scholten identifies the victim and sends a letter to ICE demanding a transparent investigation.
Sep 20, 2026Coronado Juarez's vehicle crashes into a tree and catches fire in Grand Rapids while fleeing an attempted ICE traffic stop; he is pronounced dead at the scene.
Sep 20, 2026Grand Rapids Police Chief Joseph Trigg requests Michigan State Police investigate, citing limited cooperation from federal agencies.
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