Police: federal authorities briefly detain individual following East Garfield Park car accident

Federal authorities briefly detained a person after a car accident in East Garfield Park on Wednesday afternoon, Chicago police confirmed.

The detainment was captured in a video obtained by The Triibe, which first reported the incident. In the video, which The Triibe posted to social media and the Tribune has not received independently, a federal agent is seen holding a Black man by the neck.

A person at the scene is heard on the video asking the agent why he was “choking” the man.

The Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection did not immediately return a request for comment Wednesday evening.

Police on Wednesday evening confirmed the detainment, but did not address the reports of the alleged choked motorist.

An unknown driver operating a white sedan was traveling eastbound on Congress Parkway when they struck a 49-year-old woman driving a black sedan northbound on California Avenue, authorities said.

Police responded to the scene on the 2800 block of Congress at about 2:36 p.m. The woman was transported in good condition to Mount Sinai Hospital for injuries to her shoulder, neck and hip, while the other driver fled, police said. No citations were issued.

While on scene, Chicago police supervisors were notified that federal authorities detained a person possibly connected to the car accident, authorities said. The detained person was later released on scene, according to police.

Opponents to the immigration crackdown have been quick to call out government officials during instances when U.S. citizens have been detained or arrested by federal authorities.

In an emailed statement, a police spokesperson wrote that, “In accordance with the City of Chicago’s Municipal Code and Welcoming City Ordinance, at no point did CPD coordinate or assist federal authorities with immigration enforcement.”

tkenny@chicagotribune.com