Fatal Freeway Accident Occurs During ICE Raid at Southern California Home Depot
In a tragic turn of events, a man identified as Roberto Carlos Montoya Valdés, 52, from Guatemala, met his demise after he dashed onto a freeway during an immigration enforcement action at a Home Depot in Monrovia, California. Local authorities confirmed the incident.
The National Day Laborer Organizing Network identified the victim as a day laborer who had fled the Home Depot when Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents initiated an operation on Thursday morning. According to Monrovia City Manager Dylan Feik’s statement, the man ran across eastbound Interstate 210 where he was struck by an SUV traveling at approximately 60 mph in the far-left lane. The victim succumbed to his injuries at a hospital.
Authorities emphasized that the individual who ran onto the freeway was not being pursued by any Department of Homeland Security (DHS) law enforcement officers. They also stated they were unaware of the incident and were not informed by the California Highway Patrol until after operations in the area had concluded.
Home Depot locations have increasingly become targets for immigration raids as part of the Trump administration’s broadened deportation operations. The retail chain is a popular gathering spot for both documented and undocumented day laborers seeking jobs in various sectors such as roofing, painting, and construction work.
The incident follows another fatal accident involving a farmworker who fell during an chaotic ICE raid at a California cannabis facility in July. It also comes as the Trump administration seeks to overturn a court order preventing immigration authorities from stopping or arresting individuals solely based on factors like their spoken language or place of work, within Los Angeles jurisdiction.
At least 10 individuals were reportedly detained during the ICE operation in Monrovia, according to California Assemblymember John Harabedian whose district includes the city. Harabedian described the incident as “frightening and chaotic,” adding that such raids do not enhance public safety but instead instill fear and put lives at risk.
ICE and the Department of Homeland Security have yet to comment on the matter. Home Depot, in a statement, clarified that they were not notified about the ICE activities taking place at their store and are not involved in the operations.
The California Highway Patrol’s Baldwin Park Area is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the pedestrian’s presence on the freeway and the crash itself. The National Day Laborer Organizing Network has reached out to Valdés’ family to offer support and also extend assistance to other workers who may have witnessed or experienced the raid.