Thread: Where would this victim of illegal immigration be today?

Where would this victim of illegal immigration be today?
Dave Gibson
Immigration Reform Examiner
May 29, 2012


Victor Javier Benitez

On June 16, 2007, 22-year-old Joycelyn R. Gardiner was killed after the SUV driven by Victor Javier Benitez, 24, slammed into her car after running a red light on Nolensville Pike in Nashville.


From Jun 25, 2007, 7 years ago and nothing has changed - Time to change the government.

Gardiner was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center where she was soon pronounced dead.

According to police, Benitez made no attempt to even slow down as he struck Gardiner’s vehicle.

Nashville Metro Police spokesman Don Aaron told News Channel 5: “According to the witnesses who attempted to render aid to both victims, Benitez smelled strongly of alcohol and was very combative. Because of this crash that apparently involves alcohol by the other driver, her life is lost.”

Despite the fact that the Mexican national had a lengthy criminal record and was in the country illegally, no action to deport him was ever taken.

-On Feb. 15, 2006, Benitez was charged with three counts of car burglary and two counts of attempted theft. He was convicted on Apr. 11, 2006, and sentenced to one year of probation.

-On Nov. 5, 2006, Benitez was charged with public intoxication, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. He was convicted on all charges and spent seven days in jail before being released.

Then on Feb. 28, 2008, the illegal alien pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide (intoxication) and sentenced to nine years in prison.

Now for the victim…

Joycelyn Gardiner was a student and standout track star at Tennessee State University and only a few months away from receiving her degree in criminal justice. She planned to attend law school after graduation.

Gardiner who grew up and attended high school in Port Arthur, Pa., was remembered by local sportswriter Tom Halliburton, telling The News: “I remember when she started out in ninth grade at Lincoln. She really didn’t look like she’d have a chance at becoming anything in track and field. It was through her desire, dedication and hard work that she became a great track and field star. She later went on to represent Lincoln at a state meet.”

By all accounts, Gardiner was an accomplished, determined young lady and there is no reason to believe that she would not have achieved her goal of becoming an attorney.
By now, she would have likely completed law school, passed the bar exam and begun her career.

Instead, she is gone and her family and friends are left behind to grieve her loss and wonder about ‘what could have been.’

With the time her killer spent in jail before pleading guilty, he has already served more than half of his sentence and will likely be released sometime within the next two years. Hopefully, at that time, the federal government will do its duty and deport Benitez back to Mexico.

Of course, with an unprotected border, it is easy to imagine another such tragedy befalling another promising young American soon thereafter.

Where would this victim of illegal immigration be today? - National Immigration Reform | Examiner.com

Family and friends are left wonder 'what could have been.' For sanity's sake I hope they make some peacce with it. Wondering about granchildren that willnever be, what a spouse last name would have been, what ultimately would have thier achievemenats might have led to, no, no, stay away from it. Only causes harm to you! Been there!