A lawn care crew driving a truck pulling a trailer allegedly rammed into an ICE vehicle before crashing into a tree while trying to flee immigration authorities near the 13000 block of Duobloon Avenue, at its intersection with Carthehena Avenue, in Galveston Wednesday morning, September 23, 2026. The crash happened around 10 a.m., according to the Galveston County Pct. 3 Constable's Office.
The truck reportedly rammed the ICE vehicle before crashing into a tree. News Radio 1200 WOAI reported the intersection as Duobloon Avenue and Carthehena Avenue.
EMS treated the truck driver at the scene. No ICE agents suffered serious injuries or were transported to a hospital, and no civilians were reported injured.
A Federal Enforcement Action Gone Sideways
The incident began when the crew, inside a truck pulling a trailer, tried to flee immigration authorities.
ICE's Houston Field Office covers Southeast Texas.
Steep Legal Exposure Under State and Federal Law
The driver could face serious criminal exposure on two fronts. Under 18 U.S.C. § 111, forcibly assaulting, resisting, or impeding a federal officer with a dangerous weapon — a classification that federal courts extend to motor vehicles — is a federal felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison, per the U.S. House Office of the Law Revision Counsel.
No serious injuries were reported in Wednesday's crash.
A Previous Multi-Agency Investigation
Tuesday's crash unfolded against a backdrop of close, routine cooperation between Galveston County law enforcement and federal immigration authorities. The Galveston County Sheriff's Office and local Constable Precincts participate in ICE's 287(g) Task Force Model program, which delegates federal enforcement authority to trained local officers, according to the Galveston County Precinct 3 Constable.
In June 2025, a multi-agency effort involving ICE Homeland Security Investigations and the DEA led to federal charges against 23 individuals across Houston and Galveston for drug trafficking and money laundering.
It remains unclear whether federal prosecutors or the Galveston County District Attorney's Office will take the lead in charging the driver, and authorities have not detailed the administrative status of the lawn care crew involved. Both questions are likely to shape how the case proceeds in the weeks ahead.
