NORFOLK, VA – A 25-year-old Honduran national died Thursday morning after fleeing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers during a traffic stop and running onto a busy highway, where he was struck by a passing vehicle.
ICE officials identified the man as Jose Castro-Rivera, who was in the United States illegally.
Authorities said the incident occurred around 11 a.m. during a targeted enforcement operation when officers stopped a vehicle believed to be transporting individuals unlawfully present in the country.
Key Points
• Honduran national Jose Castro-Rivera died after running into traffic to evade ICE officers in Norfolk
• ICE says Castro-Rivera resisted arrest during a targeted immigration enforcement operation
• Federal and state agencies have been notified and are reviewing the incident per agency policy
Fatal pursuit during ICE operation
According to ICE, officers began detaining the vehicle’s occupants after determining they were in the country illegally. Castro-Rivera allegedly resisted arrest, broke free, and fled toward a nearby highway, where he was hit by a vehicle. An ICE officer attempted to perform lifesaving measures until emergency responders arrived, but Castro-Rivera was pronounced dead at approximately 11:15 a.m. by Norfolk Fire Department paramedics.
Agency notifications and investigation
Virginia State Police notified Castro-Rivera’s brother of his death. ICE said it has informed the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General, ICE’s Office of Professional Responsibility, and the Honduran consulate, as required under agency procedures. The death will also be reported to Congress and made public under the 2018 DHS Appropriations Bill, which mandates that ICE disclose all in-custody deaths within 90 days.
ICE response and next steps
In a statement, ICE said the incident underscores the risks faced during immigration enforcement operations when individuals attempt to flee officers. The agency described the stop as part of an intelligence-based operation targeting individuals with immigration violations. Officials added that a formal review of the event is underway, and the case remains under joint investigation by ICE and Virginia State Police.
Policy and public reporting requirements
ICE noted that, consistent with agency policy, details of Castro-Rivera’s death will be posted on the agency’s public website within two business days. The agency said it continues to cooperate with oversight offices to ensure transparency and accountability following the fatal encounter.
