A Mexican national was struck and killed by a tractor-trailer after allegedly attempting to flee from an encounter with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in St. Augustine, Florida.
According to Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) Sgt. Dylan Bryan, the incident took place in the parking lot of a gas station and convenience store. The Mexican national, a 28-year-old man, along with three other men, fled on foot after Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Enforcement Removal Operations (ERO) officers encountered the group in their vehicle.
The 28-year-old “ran across State Road 16 and into the path of the tractor trailer,” Sgt. Bryan stated, confirming that “the pedestrian was struck by the tractor-trailer in the right lane and sustained fatal injuries on scene.”
“The tractor trailer immediately stopped and attempted to render aid to the victim," the FHP officer added.
In a later statement, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed that ICE agents were conducting an enforcement operation near St Johns, Florida.
The agency also confirmed that FHP and HSI have begun an investigation into the encounter.
Third Death In a Week Involving ICE
The incident marks the third death in a week involving enforcement operations conducted by immigration officials. The previous two operations resulted in the fatal shootings of another Mexican national and a legally authorized Colombian national.
The most recent death also took place the same day as DHS officials ordered ICE agents to refrain from conducting vehicle stops during enforcement operations unless they are targeting “the most egregious targets with serious or violent criminal histories.”
Pushback From State Officials
“Whether it’s ICE agents gunning down a father in the streets of Houston, shooting a young man in Maine or conducting operations right here in Northeast Florida that result in a deadly crash, the outcome is the same: fear, chaos and death,” Florida State Rep. and U.S. Senatorial candidate Angie Nixon (D-Jacksonville) responded to the incident.
