The tragic story of the college graduate, 21, who Trump mentioned in his nomination acceptance speech after she was killed by a drunken illegal immigrant street-racer
- Sarah Root graduated with top grades from Bellevue University, Nebraska
- Just 24 hours later she was struck in her car by a drunk illegal immigrant
- He was arrested and charged with manslaughter, but was then freed
- A short time later, he fled the country and hasn't been seen since
- Donald Trump used her story during his convention acceptance speech
- Her family thanked the nominee for the mention, and the help he has given
- They have since been fighting for a new law for stricter guidelines on detaining illegal immigrants who commit crimes
At just 21 years old, Sarah Root had her whole life ahead of her.
She had graduated from Bellevue University near Omaha, Nebraska, with top grades.
But while she was out celebrating with friends on January 31, just 24 hours after completing her degree, her life was cut short.
While she had stopped at traffic lights in her car, drunken illegal immigrant Eswin Mejia slammed into her while he was street racing in his truck.
Her family kept her on life support for three days, but her injuries were too severe. In those 72 hours Mejia had been arrested, been freed on bond and had already left the country.
Miss Root's tragic yet sickening story was used by Donald Trump in his acceptance speech at the Republican convention - and her parents have thanked the GOP nominee.
Sarah Root, 21, was killed by a drunken illegal immigrant while he was street racing in his car in Omaha, Nebraska, earlier this year
Miss Root's tragic yet sickening story was used by Donald Trump in his acceptance speech at the Republican convention - and her parents have thanked the GOP nominee
In a statement released after the speech, they said: 'We are very appreciative that Mr. Trump is speaking of our daughter. He & his staff have been very compassionate about what we have been going through & have tried to help however they can.'
He highlighted it as one of many examples of foreigners crossing America's borders illegally and committing a horrific crime.
It is one of the cases he has used in a bid to spark reform on the way the undocumented are detained for their crimes.
Eswin Mejia, who entered America illegally from Honduras in 2013, fled the country shortly after he was arrested and released on bail following Miss Root's death
Trump told the crowd at the Quicken Loans Arena on Thursday: 'Nearly 180,000 illegal immigrants with criminal records, ordered deported from our country, are tonight roaming free to threaten peaceful citizens.
'The number of new illegal immigrant families who have crossed the border so far this year already exceeds the entire total from 2015.
'They are being released by the tens of thousands into our communities with no regard for the impact on public safety or resources.
'One such border-crosser was released and made his way to Nebraska. 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.'
Mejia was arrested after the deadly crash, but was released on a $50,000 bond. He then fled the country while his family insisted that he no longer lived at home.
When he was booked into jail, he was three times over the legal limit and was even charged with motor vehicular homicide.
But he was still allowed to walk free after a relative posted the cash fee - $5,000 - he needed.
He crossed the border from Honduras illegally in 2013 when he was 16. He was stopped in Arizona, held in Tennessee, but ultimately relocated to Nebrasja.
An investigation by the Omaha-World Herald revealed that a systematic failure at all levels - from state government to immigration officials - had contributed to.
Horrifying pictures reveal how badly damaged Miss Root's car was during the deadly crash in January
The judge who released Mejia was also not informed of Mejia’s failure to show up for two prior court appearances.
This means he was a flight risk.
Shawn Neudauer, a spokesman for ICE, told the World-Herald that Mejia’s arrest ’did not meet ICE’s enforcement priorities’.
It followed on from a release from the Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement which suggest border agents could not follow up on all crimes by immigrants because of limited resources.
Miss Root's devastated parents tried to push for reform by speaking to the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.
They have also pushed to bring a bill called Sarah's Law to the floor. The aim would be to enforce stricter detention on illegal immigrants.
The family also met with Donald Trump during a campaign stop in Iowa in May.
As a result he decided to use her story while accepting the GOP nomination for president.
Share this article
Miss Root's family, including her mother (pictured left), have campaigned for tighter regulations on detaining illegal immigrants who are convicted or accused of a crime
Miss Root's family kept her on life support for three days, but her injuries were too severe. In those 72 hours Mejia had been arrested, been freed on bond and had already left the country
Most watched News videos
- Russia: Nuclear weapons in Poland would become targets in wider war
- Prince Harry presents a Soldier of the Year award to US combat medic
- 'Dine-and-dashers' confronted by staff after 'trying to do a runner'
- Moment Met Police officer tasers aggressive dog at Wembley Stadium
- Boris Johnson: Time to kick out London's do-nothing Mayor Sadiq Khan
- Commuters evacuate King's Cross station as smoke fills the air
- Wills' rockstar reception! Prince of Wales greeted with huge cheers
- Don't mess with Grandad! Pensioner fights back against pickpockets
- Ashley Judd shames decision to overturn Weinstein rape conviction
- Shocking moment pandas attack zookeeper in front of onlookers
- Shocking moment British woman is punched by Thai security guard
- Shocking moment gunman allegedly shoots and kills Iraqi influencer
Comments 0
Share what you think
No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards.
We are no longer accepting comments on this article.
