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Track Star Killed By Suspected Drunk Driver (illegal)
WTVF Nashville ^ | June 18, 2007 | unattributed

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.


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Government; US: Tennessee
KEYWORDS: aliens; amnesty; crimaliens; drunkdriver; drunkmexican; gardiner; illegalaliens; immigrantlist; immigration; joycelyngardiner; mexicancrimewave; noamnestyforillegals
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1 posted on 06/19/2007 12:31:51 AM PDT by ruination
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To: ruination

Another reason illegal immigrants should be rounded up and deported.


2 posted on 06/19/2007 12:35:19 AM PDT by wk4bush2004
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To: ruination

Gracias a Jorge Bush!!!


3 posted on 06/19/2007 12:37:02 AM PDT by dennisw (Iran ain't doing too bads)
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To: ruination
That drunk's on the DemonRatz ticket.

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.

4 posted on 06/19/2007 12:50:39 AM PDT by prophetic
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To: ruination
Benitez did have an identification card from Houston, Texas.

Houston, we have a problem.
5 posted on 06/19/2007 12:53:38 AM PDT by goldfinch
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To: goldfinch
Immigration just means more family values for Nashville.
6 posted on 06/19/2007 12:56:30 AM PDT by ruination
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To: ruination
so how do these "poor" illegals afford to drive an Expedition and fill it with gasoline and pay insurance?...oh, that's right...they don't do the insurance thingy.......

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....

7 posted on 06/19/2007 1:10:56 AM PDT by cherry
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To: ruination

Just say NO to Illegal Alien Amnesty!! Keep calling!! It’s 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


8 posted on 06/19/2007 1:17:47 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet (Fred Thompson/John Bolton 2008)
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To: ruination

Hey, Gorge Bush said that he can control Iraq, the rest of the nation’s elite are supposedly going to control the worlds weather, but throwing up a fence is impossible, won’t 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.


9 posted on 06/19/2007 2:21:56 AM PDT by Leisler (Just be glad your not getting all the Government you pay for.)
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To: ruination
Track Star Killed By Suspected Drunk Driver (illegal)

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

10 posted on 06/19/2007 2:58:44 AM PDT by FDNYRHEROES (Always bring a liberal to a gunfight)
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To: ruination
...an identification card from Houston, Texas.

Maybe a matricula card? Issued by the Mexican consulate to illegals only.

11 posted on 06/19/2007 3:14:21 AM PDT by FreePaul
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To: ruination

Remember, the jackasses in DC are working overtime to legitimize bastards such as Victor Benitez .


12 posted on 06/19/2007 3:47:26 AM PDT by csvset
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To: ruination
"In February 2006, Benitez was convicted of car burglary. Nine months later, he spent seven days in jail for public intoxication and resisting arrest."

And yet he was still here in the U.S. illegally, and apparently free to kill this young woman. And GWB wants to cut this piece of stinking offal an amnesty deal?
13 posted on 06/19/2007 3:54:22 AM PDT by LIConFem (Thompson 2008. Lifetime ACU Rating: 86 -- Hunter 2008 (VP) Lifetime ACU Rating: 92)
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To: ruination

Rest in peace, Joycelyn.

14 posted on 06/19/2007 4:06:06 AM PDT by raybbr (You think it's bad now - wait till the anchor babies start to vote.)
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To: ruination
I guess one should send a thank you note to Ron Ramsey in bristol, he has done such a good job making sure illegals cannot drive in Tennessee and making sure that people have insurance.”sac off”
15 posted on 06/19/2007 4:06:07 AM PDT by org.whodat (What's the difference between a Democrat and a republican????)
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To: ruination
These tragic incidents are becoming much too common. One has to wonder if Nashville is a “sanctuary city” (the federal government certainly shares blame ... and that’s not racism, Ms. DiFi).
16 posted on 06/19/2007 4:14:23 AM PDT by steelyourfaith
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To: ruination
Is it unfair to say that this young woman would be alive today had our government officials been doing their jobs?

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.

17 posted on 06/19/2007 4:30:43 AM PDT by RavenATB
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To: steelyourfaith

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?


18 posted on 06/19/2007 4:33:04 AM PDT by Oldexpat
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To: wk4bush2004

Don’t deport,Get a rope. :0)


19 posted on 06/19/2007 4:55:11 AM PDT by seemoAR (Absolute power corrupts absolutely)
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To: seemoAR

Don’t 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.


20 posted on 06/19/2007 5:06:02 AM PDT by iopscusa (El Vaquero. (SC Lowcountry Cowboy))
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