Man Dies in St. Augustine After Running From Encounter With ICE Agents Near St. Johns County
A man died in St. Augustine, Florida, Tuesday, after running from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and being struck by a tractor-trailer. The incident occurred early Tuesday morning after four occupants of a vehicle fled on foot during an encounter with federal agents. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed that ICE and Homeland Security Investigations were conducting an operation when the fatal collision took place. Authorities stated the man crossed into the path of the semi, which subsequently stopped to help him. This death is one of several reported instances in recent weeks involving confrontations between individuals and ICE. The Department of Homeland Security indicated the deceased was a Mexican national. Other reports detail similar deaths involving individuals fleeing immigration enforcement. State officials and sources noted the escalating pattern of such encounters. Reports from the administration detailing immigration actions have drawn scrutiny over the use of force and tactics employed during enforcement operations.