Federal authorities have launched a billboard campaign to locate a man wanted in connection with allegedly causing a 2011 fatal vehicle crash in Kill Devil Hills.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced Tuesday images and information about the suspects will be displayed on electronic billboards in the Asheville-area initially “to alert the public of at-large immigration violators who may pose a public safety threat.”
Several were previously arrested or convicted of crimes in the U.S., according to a press release from ICE, but were released rather than being transferred into the custody of immigration agents.
One of the suspects on the billboard is Luis Alberto Rodriguez-Castro, 53, who faces numerous counts for causing the wreck at the intersection of U.S. 158 and Colington Road on October 5, 2011.
Police said Rodriguez-Castro drove his 1993 Chevy Lumina through the intersection at Colington Road and U.S. 158 without stopping for a red flashing light, colliding with another vehicle.
Joe Storie, 51, of Lenoir, was a passenger in the other vehicle and died from his injuries.
At the time, Rodriguez-Castro was charged with driving while intoxicated, felony serious injury by motor vehicle and felony death by motor vehicle.
Rodriguez-Castro “attempted to abscond after receiving medical treatment at a Virginia hospital and was captured,” according to the Dare County Community Crime Line.
He made a second escape after posting bail, and his current whereabouts remain unknown.
The Crime Line has authorized an automatic reward of $1,000 for information that leads to his apprehension. The Storie family has added an extra $1,000 to that reward.
ICE alleges Rodriguez-Castro entered the country without inspection at an unknown place in 1998, and is wanted as an illegal alien in addition to being a criminal fugitive.
Rodriguez-Castro was placed on ICE’s “Most Wanted” list created in April 2019.
