Guatemalan Father's Death After ICE Pursuit Sparks Vigil in Grand Rapids
GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan – More than a hundred people gathered Thursday night for a vigil honoring Mario David Coronado-Juarez, a Guatemalan father of three who died in a fiery crash after fleeing an attempted traffic stop by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
Coronado-Juarez, 35, died Sunday, Sept. 20, after his vehicle struck a tree and caught fire near Century Avenue SW and southbound U.S. 131. He was working as a drywall installer in the Grand Rapids area and was in the country illegally, according to authorities.
Community Remembers a Hardworking Man
Family, friends and immigrant rights advocates placed candles and flowers at the crash site. Karla Barberi, a longtime friend from Guatemala, spoke on behalf of the family, describing Coronado-Juarez as a man of faith and integrity who worked seven days a week to send money home to his wife and children in San Marcos.
“He loved God, he was a man of integrity,” Barberi said. She noted that he lived frugally, surviving on beans and eggs, to support his family’s dream of building a proper house in Guatemala.
Gema Lowe, an organizer with the immigrant rights group Movimiento Cosecha, said Coronado-Juarez’s children currently live in a structure without walls. The weekend he died, he had wired money to his wife and mother in Guatemala.
Calls for Accountability
The vigil included chants of “Justicia para Mario,” or “Justice for Mario.” Earlier in the week, protesters disrupted a Grand Rapids City Commission meeting, and Mayor David LaGrand condemned federal immigration authorities for fostering a culture of fear.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer has directed state police to assist Grand Rapids police in investigating the circumstances leading to the crash. Community members are demanding the release of security footage from the incident.
ICE stated that agents attempted to stop the vehicle because it was registered to another individual, and that Coronado-Juarez had multiple alcohol-related driving offenses. The stop was part of a targeted enforcement operation in the area.
A Cultural Farewell
The vigil concluded with a traditional Mayan mourning ceremony featuring smoke and music, including a song titled “El Inmigrante,” a favorite of Coronado-Juarez. Organizers also collected donations to repatriate his remains to Guatemala.
“The Mayan Indians are also human,” Barberi said. “We have a soul, we have spirit, we have feelings. We’re human, we’re not disposable. So tonight we’re here to remember Mario and never forget what happened.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Mario David Coronado-Juarez?
Coronado-Juarez died Sept. 20, 2026, in a crash after fleeing an attempted ICE traffic stop in Grand Rapids, Michigan. His vehicle struck a tree and caught fire.
Why did ICE attempt to stop his vehicle?
ICE said the vehicle was registered to another person and that Coronado-Juarez was in the country illegally with prior alcohol-related driving offenses. The stop was part of a targeted operation.
What are community members demanding?
They are calling for the release of security footage and a full investigation into the events before the crash. Governor Whitmer has ordered state police involvement.