Residents near State Road 16 and Green Acres Road should expect continued attention from law enforcement after a 28-year-old man was killed early Tuesday while fleeing federal immigration officers, the Florida Highway Patrol said.
The incident occurred about 6:35 a.m. when agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Homeland Security Investigations were conducting an operation in a gas station parking lot in St. Johns County, according to a Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) report obtained by local media and a statement from the Department of Homeland Security.
Four people left the stopped vehicle and ran from the scene on foot. One of the occupants attempted to cross the eastbound lanes of State Road 16 and was struck by an eastbound tractor-trailer, FHP said.
"The pedestrian was struck by the tractor-trailer in the right lane and sustained fatal injuries on scene,"
FHP said the tractor-trailer stopped immediately and the driver, identified in the report as a 64-year-old man from Lake City, attempted to render aid. The victim, a 28-year-old Mexican national, was pronounced dead at the scene. Officials have not released the victim’s name.
Who is investigating and what we know so far
Authorities involved in the response and investigation include:
- Florida Highway Patrol — lead on the traffic fatality investigation and scene response.
- Homeland Security Investigations — involved in the federal operation during which the occupants fled.
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security — confirmed federal officers were conducting an operation in St. Johns County.
The Department of Homeland Security provided a brief statement confirming federal officers were on location when the incident occurred and that HSI is participating in the inquiry. FHP said it is continuing its preliminary investigation into the crash.
Local impact and public safety
Commuters in the area experienced lane closures and delays while the eastbound lanes of State Road 16 were secured for crash investigators and first responders. Authorities have not said whether any enforcement activity beyond the initial encounter is ongoing, but residents should expect a visible law enforcement presence near the site while investigations proceed.
State and local officials have previously faced scrutiny over enforcement tactics, and the fatality adds to public concern about interactions between migrants and federal officers. Local leaders and advocates often call for transparency after such incidents; FHP and HSI have not released additional operational details pending the investigation.
| Detail | Known information |
|---|---|
| Time | About 6:35 a.m. |
| Location | Near State Road 16 and Green Acres Road, St. Johns County |
| Victim | 28-year-old Mexican national (unnamed) |
| Truck driver | 64-year-old man from Lake City; stopped and attempted aid |
| Investigating agencies | FHP and HSI |
Officials ask anyone with information, video or witnesses of the incident to contact Florida Highway Patrol or Homeland Security Investigations. No charges or arrests related to the traffic collision have been announced.
News Block will update this story as investigators release more details.
