Federal immigration officials seek custody of Ocean County defendant ahead of release in ongoing case.
Lakewood, NJ — Federal immigration authorities have lodged a detainer against a Jackson Township man charged in a hit-and-run that seriously injured a minor in Lakewood, weeks after the crash, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Jose Perez-Parada, 35, remains in custody at the Ocean County Jail on charges stemming from the March incident, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer previously announced.
The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit–Vehicular Homicide Squad, Lakewood Township Police Department, and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office identified Perez-Parada as the driver accused of striking a child and fleeing the scene on Hope Chapel Road. ICE confirmed it lodged an immigration detainer on March 28 with the Ocean County Jail in Toms River.
Federal detainer adds new dimension to case
The detainer requests that local authorities notify ICE prior to Perez-Parada’s release and transfer him into federal custody. ICE stated that Perez-Parada is an undocumented immigrant from Mexico who entered the United States at an unknown time and place.
“If the detainer is honored, Parada, who illegally entered the U.S. at an unknown date and place, will be transferred to ICE custody upon release and placed into removal proceedings,” the agency told Shore News Network on Sunday.
In a statement provided to Shore News Network, ICE added, “Under President Trump, criminal illegal aliens are not welcome in the United States. If you come to our country illegally and break our law, we will find you and we will arrest you.”
Crash left child critically injured
The charges stem from a Friday night crash in March in Lakewood when officers responded at approximately 8:30 p.m. to the intersection of Hope Chapel Road and Hope Hill Lane for a report of a pedestrian struck.
Investigators determined that a Hyundai Elantra traveling northbound struck a minor before leaving the scene without stopping. The victim was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune and was reported in critical but stable condition at the time of the initial announcement.
Arrest and ongoing legal process
Authorities said a coordinated investigation led to Perez-Parada being identified and taken into custody at Lakewood Township Police Headquarters. He was charged with knowingly leaving the scene of a motor vehicle crash resulting in serious bodily injury.
Key Points
• ICE lodged an immigration detainer for Jose Perez-Parada on March 28
• Defendant charged in Lakewood hit-and-run that critically injured a minor
• Suspect remains jailed in Ocean County pending a detention hearing
Next steps
Perez-Parada remains lodged in the Ocean County Jail awaiting a detention hearing. It remains unclear whether Ocean County officials will honor the ICE detainer upon his release, which would result in his transfer to federal custody for removal proceedings.
Jackson Township is grappling with high volumes of fatal traffic incidents and illegal housing rentals, which many in the community attribute to the high volume of illegal aliens living within the township.
The criminal case remains active, and the investigation into the hit-and-run is ongoing.