A tragic incident occurred in Virginia involving a man fleeing from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The man, identified as Jose Castro-Rivera, was struck and killed while trying to escape on a busy highway.
Details of the Incident
The event took place on Thursday at approximately 11 a.m. on Interstate 264 eastbound, near the Military Highway interchange in Norfolk. Authorities noted that this was not an isolated incident. It marks the second instance this year where an individual was fatally struck by a vehicle while fleeing from ICE enforcement.
Background of the Operation
A senior official from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reported that ICE was conducting a targeted immigration enforcement operation at the time. The operation involved stopping a vehicle with occupants suspected of being in the United States illegally.
- Victim: Jose Castro-Rivera
- Location: Interstate 264, Norfolk, Virginia
- Time: Around 11 a.m. on Thursday
- Previous Incident: A similar case occurred in August in California
Details on the Incident
During the encounter with ICE agents, Castro-Rivera attempted to evade arrest. As he fled, he ran onto the interstate, where a passing vehicle struck him. Despite immediate medical assistance from an ICE officer, Castro-Rivera was pronounced dead at the scene.
Ongoing Investigations
The Virginia State Police stated they were not involved in the pursuit and are solely investigating the resulting crash. A preliminary review suggests that Castro-Rivera left his car in an attempt to cross the busy highway to escape ICE.
DHS Response
Following the incident, DHS did not provide additional comments regarding Castro-Rivera’s death or the immigration operation. They also remained silent on their policies for conducting enforcement actions on highways.
Similar Cases
Previously, in August, Roberto Carlos Montoya Valdez was killed in California while fleeing from an immigration raid. In that incident, a DHS spokesperson indicated an unawareness of the pursuit or the victim’s legal status.
The current case underscores the dangers faced during such enforcement operations and draws attention to the implications of immigration policy enforcement on public safety.
