Posted on 06/19/2007 12:31:49 AM PDT by ruination
NASHVILLE, Tenn.- A Tennessee State University student died Saturday when another driver broadsided her vehicle on Old Hickory Boulevard.
Metro police said 24-year-old Victor Benitez was drunk as he ran a red light at the intersection of Old Hickory Boulevard and Nolensville Road, killing 22-year-old Joycelyn Gardiner.
"Just a tremendous young lady, from all accounts, who had all types of potential," said Don Aaron, Metro police spokesman.
"According to the witnesses who attempted to render aid to both victims, Benitez smelled strongly of alcohol and was very combative," Aaron said.
Investigators said Benitez was drunk and he didn't touch the brakes of his Ford Expedition before hitting Gardiner's car. She died a short time later at the hospital.
"Because of this crash, that apparently involves alcohol, by the other driver, her life is lost," Aaron said.
Police said Benitez was driving without a license and that he didn't have paperwork verifying that he was in the United States legally.
"They learned that he is a suspected illegal immigrant, thus, a federal hold was placed on him so he cannot make bond," Aaron said.
In February 2006, Benitez was convicted of car burglary. Nine months later, he spent seven days in jail for public intoxication and resisting arrest. The Mexican native now faces a vehicular homicide charge.
"This is just a devastating story for Tennessee State University," Aaron said.
Gardiner ran track for the Tigerbelles. She was going to in August. Now, her friends remember her and mourn her death. On Gardiner's MySpace page, friends left heartfelt messages.
Authorities realized Benitez's possible illegal status thanks to a new program that links into the federal data base.
Benitez did have an identification card from Houston, Texas.
Gardiner, a Texas native, planned to attend law school after graduation.
TSU is in the process of planning a memorial service for Gardiner.
Another reason illegal immigrants should be rounded up and deported.
Gracias a Jorge Bush!!!
They and Bush are responsible for not enforcing the immigration laws on the books and for hindering the ICE & Border Patrol from doing their jobs.
but what do you expect of people that are not fully vested in our country or its future, let alone THEIR future...
licenses....insurance...obeying laws....thats' for the gringos....
Just say NO to Illegal Alien Amnesty!! Keep calling!! Its NOT OVER!! Our country is worth it!!
U.S. Senate switchboard: (202) 224-3121
U.S. House switchboard: (202) 225-3121
White House comments: (202) 456-1111
Find your House Rep.: http://www.house.gov/writerep
Find your US Senators: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
Hey, Gorge Bush said that he can control Iraq, the rest of the nationâs elite are supposedly going to control the worlds weather, but throwing up a fence is impossible, wonât work....not gonna do it. Oh, but wait! Need deep water ports to import Chinese crap? No problem, and we will buy, install and use Chinese Army cranes to lift the containers out of Chinese Navy ships. And. How about a 52 lane highways from Mexico to Canada? No problem.
At first blush, without reading the article, based on the headline, it would seem that a pedestrian was the victim of a hit and run driver. Ford Expedition...that's one of those dreaded SUVs, right? It's a shame that no one takes the time to inform all these "undocumented Americans" that driving SUVs is not the same as driving normal cars...
/sarcasm
Maybe a matricula card? Issued by the Mexican consulate to illegals only.
Remember, the jackasses in DC are working overtime to legitimize bastards such as Victor Benitez .
Rest in peace, Joycelyn.
Perhaps we should no longer weep for the victims of those who are pressuring our government to ignore the crimes of illegals, to ignore their responsibility to secure our boarders, to protect our citizens.
Perhaps “we the people” no longer matter. Big business wants cheap labor, and the Republicans are scared they won’t get that whopping 20% of the vote from those that may get citizenship through this monstrosity of a bill.
One thing’s for sure. True patriots and statesmen are a very rare breed in Washington today.
A question for future Presidential debates.
Hillary, What would you do if Chelsea was killed in a car accident with a drunk, illegal, uninsured, and unlicensed driver with prior convictions?
Don’t deport,Get a rope. :0)
Dont deport, Get a rope...it’s coming to this...also get a rope for the “Lawmakers” failing to enforce our laws...they are as culpable as the criminal.
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