11:00 PM CDT Jul 21, 2016

CLEVELAND —Millions heard Sarah Root's name Thursday night, as Donald Trump spoke about her case during a section of his speech on immigration at the Republican National Convention.

Root was struck and killed by a suspected drunken driver in January by Eswin Mejia, a man in the country illegally, who is now on the run.

Trump said the number of new families in the U.S. illegally, so far this year, is already more than all of last year. He said there's "no regard for the impact on public safety and resources."

He mentioned Mejia by name.

"One such border-crosser was released and made his way to Nebraska," Trump said. "There, he ended the life of an innocent young girl named Sarah Root. She was 21 years old and was killed the day after graduating from college with a 4.0 grade point average. Her killer was then released a second time, and he is now a fugitive from the law.

"I've met Sarah's beautiful family. But to this administration, their amazing daughter was just one more American life that wasn't worth protecting. One more child to sacrifice on the altar of open borders."



After January's crash, immigration officials decided Mejia was not a threat. He posted bond days later and vanished.

Police said he was drunk and racing when he hit her car from behind at 33rd and L streets. She had just graduated from Bellevue University hours earlier.

Root's family issued the following statement to KETV NewsWatch 7:

"We are very appreciative that Mr. Trump is speaking of our daughter. He and his staff have been very compassionate about what we have been going through and have tried to help however they can."

http://www.ketv.com/news/donald-trum...peech/40829028