On September 2, a man without legal immigration status crashed into the wife of a New Jersey mayor while attempting to evade federal immigration agents, according to reports.
The suspect reportedly fled at high speed, ran a red light, and collided with another vehicle after ICE attempted to pull him over in North Brunswick.
The other vehicle’s driver was identified as Dr. Penelope Cohen, the spouse of East Brunswick Mayor Brad Cohen. She sustained a non-life-threatening injury to her leg and was taken to the hospital.
The driver then abandoned the scene on foot but was captured by ICE agents shortly after.
In a statement, an ICE spokesperson explained, “ICE law enforcement officers conducted a vehicle stop during a targeted enforcement operation. The suspect refused to comply with orders and fled at a high rate of speed, colliding with other vehicles.”
The spokesperson added that the individual was arrested for violating U.S. immigration law and would face removal proceedings while remaining in custody.
The North Brunswick Police Department clarified that its officers were not part of the ICE operation and only responded to the crash to ensure public safety.
In response to the incident, Democrat Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman criticized ICE, asserting that the agency’s actions had compromised the safety of innocent people.
She posted on X, “Today, it appears an ICE involved car chase resulted in an accident involving the wife of the Mayor of East Brunswick. ICE’s lawlessness is putting innocent people in harms way. #AbolishICE.”
