DHS Identifies Suspect in St. Paul Multi-Vehicle Crash Following High-Speed ICE Pursuit
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials have confirmed the details surrounding a chaotic multi-vehicle collision that occurred in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Wednesday morning. The crash, which took place at the intersection of Western and Selby Avenues, resulted from a high-speed pursuit initiated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers attempting to apprehend a foreign national.
In a statement provided to media outlets, DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin identified the suspect as Alexander Romero-Avila, a Honduran national. According to federal authorities, Romero-Avila is an “illegal alien” who was released into the interior of the United States by the Biden administration in 2022.
“On February 11, ICE officers attempted to conduct a targeted vehicle stop of Alexander Romero-Avila,” McLaughlin stated. “In a dangerous attempt to resist arrest, this illegal alien tried to evade law enforcement and began driving recklessly and ran red lights, endangering public safety and law enforcement.”
Incident Details and Medical Response
Witnesses at the scene reported seeing a red Toyota Prius spin out of control before striking multiple civilian vehicles and an ICE law enforcement vehicle. The St. Paul Police Department confirmed they responded to the crash at approximately 9:39 a.m. following reports of the collision and a subsequently forming crowd.
According to DHS, Romero-Avila was the only individual transported to the hospital, where he was admitted to Regions Hospital for evaluation of non-life-threatening injuries. “Law enforcement immediately called 911 to get medical assistance. No members of the public or ICE officers were injured in the crash,” the DHS statement read.
Local Backlash and Operational Criticisms
The incident has immediately reignited tensions regarding federal immigration enforcement within the Twin Cities. Following the crash, a crowd of demonstrators gathered at the scene, with video footage circulating online showing individuals blowing whistles and confronting federal agents.
St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her issued a strong condemnation of the federal operation, blaming the agency for the destruction and potential risk to residents. “The incident today at Selby and Western underscores the fact that ICE is still present, causing chaos, and putting residents at risk in Saint Paul,” Mayor Her stated. She further argued that the collision was a direct result of the “reckless way that ICE is running their operation,” calling for an immediate end to what has been dubbed “Operation Metro Surge.”
Federal Context and Rising Enforcement Risks
Federal officials maintain that the escalation was caused solely by the suspect’s refusal to comply with a lawful stop. DHS officials contextualized the event within a broader trend of resistance against immigration officers.
“These dangerous attempts to evade arrest have surged since sanctuary politicians have encouraged illegal aliens to evade arrest and provided guides advising illegal aliens how to recognize ICE, block entry, and defy arrest,” McLaughlin said, noting that officers are currently facing a “3,200% increase in vehicle attacks.”
The clash in St. Paul highlights the deepening divide between federal enforcement priorities under the current administration and local “sanctuary” jurisdictions, with federal agents facing increasing logistical challenges and public opposition during targeted arrest operations.
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