Jose Castro-Rivera Death and Obituary – A tragic incident in Norfolk, Virginia, has reignited debate over federal immigration enforcement after 24-year-old Jose Castro-Rivera, a Honduran national, was struck and killed by a vehicle while fleeing a traffic stop conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. The fatal accident occurred on Thursday, October 23, 2025, along Interstate 264 eastbound near the Military Highway interchange.
According to ICE officials, the stop was part of a “targeted, intelligence-based immigration enforcement operation.” Castro-Rivera was reportedly a passenger in a vehicle pulled over by ICE agents. As officers began detaining the occupants, he “resisted heavily” and fled on foot toward the interstate. Moments later, Castro-Rivera was struck by a passing pickup truck, suffering fatal injuries. Despite efforts by an ICE officer who administered CPR at the scene, Castro-Rivera was pronounced dead shortly afterward.
The Virginia State Police were called to investigate the pedestrian fatality but clarified that they were not involved in the initial ICE pursuit. Their role was limited to handling the accident scene and coordinating with the medical examiner’s office. The driver of the pickup truck remained at the scene and was said to be cooperating fully with authorities.
In a statement following the incident, a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson drew significant criticism after blaming Castro-Rivera’s death on “every politician, activist, and reporter who continue to spread propaganda and misinformation about ICE’s mission.” The statement added that the death was preventable, claiming it would not have occurred had Castro-Rivera complied with law enforcement instructions.
The DHS comments quickly sparked backlash from community leaders, legal advocates, and immigrant rights groups. Andrew Reigel, an immigration attorney based in Virginia Beach, condemned the agency’s tone, describing the remarks as “deeply inappropriate and insensitive.” Reigel argued that many undocumented immigrants flee in panic during encounters with ICE due to fear of deportation and mistrust of the system.
“This young man’s actions were likely driven by fear, not defiance,” Reigel stated. “To place blame on him or on advocates rather than examining the operation itself ignores the broader issue of how these enforcement tactics endanger lives.”
The Chamber for Hispanic Progress, a regional advocacy organization, has offered assistance to Castro-Rivera’s family, both in handling funeral arrangements and in navigating communication with consular officials. The group also urged for greater transparency regarding ICE operations that occur in public spaces, particularly along high-traffic roadways.
The death of Jose Castro-Rivera underscores the growing tension between federal immigration enforcement and local communities. While ICE officials defend their tactics as necessary for national security, critics argue that such operations often create dangerous situations with fatal consequences. As investigations continue, questions remain about the safety protocols followed during the stop—and whether this tragedy could have been avoided.