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.
Illegal aliens have been registering their vehicles in TN for years. At least 10 years ago, I commented to someone on Okracoke Island, N.C., on the unusually high number of cars with TN tags. He told me that the hotel staff (all illegals) register their cars there to avoid auto insurance-— lovely.
I wonder if this guy was driving to or from one of the Hispanic brothels springing up residential areas in the Nashville burbs?
Remember Swimmer a few weeks ago, holding up a chart on the Senate floor listing the number of Mexicans who have died in the desert trying to cross into the US illegally..his tears at their loss..well, I hope next week one US senator holds up a big pic of this young lady, as well as other victims of illegal predators..
Why doesn’t Tennessee become outraged
by this? Why is this okay with everybody?
What are the cosmic chances of this kind of collision with an illegal happening to someone who deserves it, like Teddy, Lindsay, et al? Just curious. Also wonder if it would spark a murmur of outrage.
vaudine
Let me just give a big FU to GWB.
I’ll join you in your “salute” to Jorge Arbusto, who has failed to uphold the Constitution and squandered his presidency. He’s a “uniter”, alright, merging USA with Mexico, though he’s divided his party by driving away real conservatives with his neo-con globaloney.
I’m going with Ron Paul.
The News and Observer published a stat about NC recently. Apperenatly in our state Hispanics are almost four times as likely to drive drunk as the rest of the population. Acceptance of that is cultural. The more we let in, the more die needlessly on our roads.
Davidson County (Nashville) just started using the 287g program 2 months ago...
287g is a 10 year old program that is a provision of the 1996 immigration bill...its funded by the federal govt...specially trained local police officers are authorized to arrest and hold illegal aliens until ICE can come and get them..The training takes about 2 months...most states dont know about it...
So much for all the promises from congress..
Countdown to Geraldo’s justification for not deporting this criminal douchebag: 5..4..3..2..1
He should have been repatriated [deported] on the first arrest. What is going on is insane.
The young lady would have had an uninsured motorist provision in her insurance..
It used to be optional but now its part of our TN indsurance...
If you get hit by an uninsured guy your insurance company lawyers go after him..no cost to you for the lawyer..
This guy wont get off the insurance bit...it works great...
Since Feb this year illegal aliens no longer get TN drivers licences. The law was never “renewed”
Drunk driving killing the Americans that Americans are too lazy to get drunk and kill.
GET A ROPE BUMP
ping
I know that, but they have not done anything about the ones they gave out, such as no renewal's.
Now, now...the poor fella was just late for his job and the anti-immigrant vigilante victim was in his way < /S >
Her blood, and the blood of all those Americans hurt or killed by criminal illegals, is on their hands. And I wish some high-profile conservative would stand up and actually SAY that in a public forum.
This is just sickening!!
“Rest in peace, Joycelyn”
Amen
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