A tragic incident occurred in Virginia involving a Honduran national who was fatally struck on a highway while attempting to evade U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
Victim Identity and Circumstances
The victim, identified as 24-year-old Jose Castro-Rivera, was involved in a vehicle stop on I-264 eastbound on Thursday at around 11 a.m. According to Virginia State Police, they responded to a report of a vehicle-pedestrian crash at the Military Highway interchange.
Details of the Incident
- Date and Time: Thursday at approximately 11 a.m.
- Location: I-264 eastbound, Military Highway interchange, Virginia.
- Involved Vehicle: 2002 Ford pickup truck.
Upon arrival, officers found Castro-Rivera had been struck by the pickup truck and was pronounced dead at the scene. Preliminary investigations revealed that he had exited his vehicle while fleeing from ICE officials.
ICE Involvement and Response
According to a spokesperson from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the stop was part of an “intelligence-based immigration enforcement operation.” When ICE agents discovered that the occupants of the vehicle were in the country illegally, they began detaining them.
During the encounter, Castro-Rivera resisted and fled onto a busy interstate highway, posing a significant safety risk. Tragically, he was subsequently hit by a passing vehicle. An ICE officer performed CPR in an attempt to save him before he was pronounced dead.
Ongoing Investigations
Although Virginia State Police were not involved in the initial pursuit, they are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the pedestrian crash, which remains open.
Broader Context of ICE Operations
This incident reflects a growing pattern of ICE operations across the nation. Just days before, on Canal Street in New York City, nine individuals suspected of being in the country illegally were apprehended in a targeted operation. Additionally, ICE conducted its latest removal flight on October 15, deporting around 140 individuals back to Venezuela.
This tragic event underscores the complexities and potential dangers associated with immigration enforcement actions in the United States.
