(NORFOLK, VIRGINIA) A 24-year-old Honduran man died Friday morning after running from Immigration and Customs Enforcement during a stop on Interstate 264 in Norfolk, Virginia, authorities said. The man, identified as Jose Castro-Rivera, was struck by a 2002 Ford pickup truck around 11 a.m. near the Military Highway interchange and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Virginia State Police said they are investigating the crash and confirmed their agency was not involved in the pursuit or the enforcement stop that led up to it.
What happened
Federal officials said the stop was part of a “targeted, intelligence-based immigration enforcement operation,” a term Immigration and Customs Enforcement uses for planned arrests focused on specific individuals.
According to initial accounts:
- Castro-Rivera resisted heavily when agents stopped his vehicle.
- He then fled on foot and attempted to cross live lanes of traffic on I‑264.
- A passing truck struck him; he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities have not announced any arrests tied to the incident, and investigators have not released further details about the driver of the truck.
The Virginia State Police will examine crash data, vehicle speeds, and witness statements. Their findings will also assist any internal reviews conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Key facts confirmed by officials
- Date and time: October 24, 2025, around 11 a.m.
- Location: Interstate 264 near the Military Highway interchange, Norfolk, Virginia
- Incident: Subject fled an ICE stop on foot and tried to cross the highway
- Cause of death: Struck by a 2002 Ford pickup
- Investigation: Virginia State Police are leading the crash probe and were not part of the pursuit
Collision during targeted ICE stop
Immigration and Customs Enforcement carries out targeted operations to arrest people it believes are removable under federal law. These actions can occur at homes, workplaces, and on public roads.
ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) unit describes these activities as planned and based on specific leads rather than random stops. More details about ERO’s work and arrest priorities are available on ICE’s official page at ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations.
In Friday’s operation along I‑264, federal agents stopped a vehicle they believed was linked to their case. What followed was a rapid sequence many traffic safety experts fear:
- A person exiting a vehicle next to high-speed lanes
- Sudden movement across live traffic
- A driver with only split seconds to respond
The Virginia State Police will review:
- Crash data and vehicle speeds
- Witness statements
- Any available dash-cam or traffic camera footage
Their findings will inform the collision investigation and any administrative reviews by ICE.
Traffic and location risks
The area near Military Highway is known for heavy traffic and frequent lane changes as drivers enter and exit the interstate. Even during late morning hours, a person on foot face extreme danger.
Officials did not say whether lanes were closed immediately or how long the scene remained blocked, but traffic backups are common after serious crashes on this stretch.
Enforcement context and community impact
The incident comes amid reports of stepped-up federal operations in multiple cities, including New York City, as agencies place more focus on targeted interior arrests. VisaVerge.com reports that recent months have intensified the debate over where and how arrests should occur—raising questions about:
- Officer safety
- Public safety
- Whether certain tactics increase risk near highways and schools
While federal officials defend targeted actions as necessary to enforce immigration law, community groups often call for limits on arrests in crowded public spaces.
For mixed-status families in Norfolk, news like this brings fear and confusion. People worry about routine drives to work or school turning into high-stress encounters. Motorists and bystanders also face risk when enforcement unfolds on busy roads. Friday’s crash highlights how these operations affect not only the person ICE seeks to arrest but the wider public.
Investigation process and possible outcomes
Crash investigations in cases like this usually take weeks. The Virginia State Police will aim to determine:
- The sequence of events leading to the impact
- Whether the driver could see the person in time
- Lighting, lane speeds, and road conditions
- Any relevant camera footage
Because the Virginia State Police were not involved in the pursuit, their role is limited to the collision investigation, while federal authorities handle enforcement-related reviews.
ICE has long said it focuses on people who pose public safety or national security concerns, as well as those with final orders of removal. In practice, targeted operations can include a mix of cases. Field teams receive tips, check databases, and plan arrests with the intent to limit public risk. Still, when a stop happens near fast-moving traffic, the margin for error shrinks.
Human factors and community response
People who fear contact with immigration agents often run, even when doing so puts them in greater danger. Lawyers say panic can stem from:
- Past trauma
- Fear of detention
- Worries about family separation
Local advocates in Hampton Roads have urged calm and cooperation during encounters, paired with later legal support. They also argue for clear boundaries that keep enforcement away from schools, hospitals, and high-speed roadways when possible.
Friday’s death is a reminder of how national immigration policy and field-level decisions play out on real streets with real traffic. Outcomes are measured not only in arrest statistics but in human costs when something goes wrong.
What’s next
Authorities have not released further information about notifications to next of kin or any planned review of tactics used in this operation. If past practice holds, ICE may later issue a longer statement outlining the subject’s immigration history and any criminal records. Such releases often come days after an incident, once basic facts are confirmed and family members are informed.
For now, what is clear is limited but stark: a targeted stop by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Norfolk, Virginia turned deadly when a young man ran into highway traffic and was struck by a passing truck. The Virginia State Police will handle the crash side; federal authorities will face questions about planning and location. Drivers who happened to be on I‑264 Friday morning will remember the sudden, traumatic scene that followed flashing lights on the interstate.
This Article in a Nutshell
On Oct. 24, 2025, Jose Castro-Rivera, a 24-year-old Honduran man, was killed after fleeing a targeted ICE enforcement stop and attempting to cross Interstate 264 near the Military Highway interchange in Norfolk, Virginia. He was struck by a 2002 Ford pickup and pronounced dead at the scene. The Virginia State Police are investigating the crash and confirmed they were not involved in any pursuit. Investigators will analyze crash data, vehicle speeds, witness statements and camera footage. Federal authorities will conduct any internal reviews of ICE tactics; outcomes may take weeks and could raise questions about enforcement near high-speed roadways.
