Guatemalan day laborer killed by SUV while fleeing Home Depot ICE raid in California
July 13, 2026·Location: Monrovia, CA
Country of origin: Guatemala

Carlos Roberto Montoya Valdez, a 52-year-old day laborer from Guatemala, died on August 14, 2025, after being struck by an SUV traveling approximately 60 mph while fleeing across Interstate 210 in Monrovia, California during a federal immigration enforcement operation at a Home Depot parking lot. Montoya had lived in the United States for about three years and worked to support his wife of 35 years, Ana María Vásquez, four daughters, and grandchildren in Guatemala. His daughter Ana Victoria recalled his final call the night before his death, in which he expressed hope of returning to Guatemala once he earned enough money to start his own business. His wife described him as "a light" who brought joy to everyone, especially his grandchildren. Between eight and ten day laborers from Guatemala, Mexico, and Honduras were arrested during the operation. The Department of Homeland Security stated Montoya was not being pursued by federal agents when he ran. Community advocates, including the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, blamed the enforcement operation's tactics for creating panic that led to his death, and organizers are demanding a full investigation into the circumstances and calling on Home Depot to release any video footage.
Timeline
Sources
- Nine deaths tied to Trump’s immigration enforcement operations in US
- What we know about man killed while running from ICE agents in Monrovia, Calif.
NBC News·Aug 18, 2025·archived copy
- Vigil held for man who died fleeing an immigration operation at Monrovia Home Depot
- Identifican a jornalero hispano que murió atropellado cuando huía de agentes federales en California
- ICE kills 26-year-old in Maine: What happened, and who else has ICE killed?
- Hispano murió arrollado al intentar huir de un operativo migratorio en Home Depot: “No era un delincuente” - El Diario NY
eldiariony.com·Aug 23, 2025·archived copy
- ‘Puts lives at risk’: Man dies attempting to flee ICE raid in California; dozens honour Montoya with march - Times of India
- Man Killed While Fleeing ICE Raid By Running Onto LA County Freeway
patch.com·Aug 15, 2025·archived copy
- Who was Roberto Carlos Montoya? Man dies while fleeing ICE raid in Los Angeles
hindustantimes.com·Aug 17, 2025·archived copy
- Day Laborer Dies Fleeing ICE: Family Mourns, Community Demands Answers
Democracy Now·Aug 22, 2025·archived copy
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