ICE Pursuit in New Jersey Ends in Three-Vehicle Crash, Sends 3 Children to Hospital [Video]

A federal ICE pursuit through Newark, New Jersey, streets on Wednesday morning ended in a multi-vehicle crash that sent several people to the hospital, including three children, according to city officials.

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The incident began when Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents attempted to pull over a van in Newark, N.J. Authorities said the driver did not stop, and the pursuit continued until a collision at Clinton Avenue and 10th Street in the city’s South Ward.

“The chase led to an accident at Clinton Avenue and 10th Street, involving several vehicles, one of which had three children as passengers, two 15-year-olds and one 12-year-old,” Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka said in a statement Wednesday afternoon.

Newark Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda said Newark police officers responded to the scene around 8:20 a.m. after receiving reports of a three-vehicle crash. He said the male driver who was allegedly fleeing ICE struck two other vehicles, including a ride-share vehicle carrying the three minors. The children were transported to University Hospital in Newark, New Jersey, after complaining of pain. The van driver was also hospitalized. Baraka criticized the federal agency’s tactics.

“Federal authorities should adhere to local laws regarding vehicle pursuits and exercise common sense,” Baraka said. “Based on the damage they are inflicting on our communities, ICE has no business engaging in chases at anytime, anywhere — but especially in densely populated areas, and on roads still being cleared from a significant snowstorm.”

City officials said Newark authorities were not involved in the attempted stop. As of late Wednesday afternoon, no charges related to the crash had been announced.