ICE Chase in Newark Ends in Multi-Car Accident; Three Children Involved

Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka issued a blistering statement today following a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) vehicle pursuit that resulted in a multi-car accident at the intersection of Clinton Avenue and 10th Street. The incident, which occurred on a Wednesday morning while city roads were still being cleared from a historic blizzard, has reignited tensions between local leadership and federal immigration authorities.

According to the Mayor’s office, the pursuit began on Shanley Avenue after a van fled an ICE investigation. The ensuing chase culminated in a collision involving several civilian vehicles, including one carrying three children—ages 12 and 15.

“Reckless and Lawless” Behavior

Mayor Baraka emphasized that Newark Police were not part of the federal investigation and only responded to the scene after the crash occurred. He condemned the decision to engage in a high-speed pursuit in a densely populated urban area, particularly under hazardous weather conditions.

“ICE cannot come into our city and recklessly put innocent people in harm’s way while they try to apprehend their targets,” Mayor Baraka stated. “This behavior is in keeping with a rabid, lawless pattern seen nationally. Somebody could have been killed in Newark today.”

Local vs. Federal Pursuit Laws

The Mayor’s statement highlighted a significant conflict between state guidelines and federal actions. In New Jersey, the Attorney General’s Vehicular Pursuit Policy (most recently updated in April 2022) strictly prohibits law enforcement from chasing vehicles unless the suspect poses an imminent threat to public safety, specifically limiting pursuits to the most serious violent crimes.

Key Details of the Incident:

• Location of Pursuit Start: Shanley Avenue, Newark

• Location of Collision: Clinton Avenue and 10th Street

• Injuries Reported: The suspect sustained injuries and was hospitalized; the condition of the children in the involved vehicle was not immediately detailed beyond their presence at the scene.

• Weather Factors: The pursuit occurred on roads narrowed and slicked by the recent Blizzard of 2026.

Mayor Baraka concluded by demanding that federal agents adhere to local and state laws, noting that federal authorities must “exercise common sense” to avoid inflicting further damage on the communities they operate within.