Student remembered for her kindness and courage

Jennifer Sanchez's death leaves family, friends and fellow students coping with a loss that shouldn't have happened

By Amber Robinson
Staff Writer

Classy, courteous and courageous are just a few of the characteristics students and faculty will remember about Jennifer M. Sanchez. She left behind a legacy through examples of hard work and determination.

A new year filled with resolutions and dreams to pursue was cut short for the Grand Prairie sophomore on Jan. 3, when she was struck by a fleeing customer at an Irving Bennigan’s. Sanchez, 20, began taking classes at Mountain View College in 1999 and was about to embark on her third semester at North Lake College when her life came to an end. She was a hard-working student in good standing, a loving daughter and sister, with so much potential for success.

“Jennifer was in my class last semester,” said Dr. Yolanda Romero, a history instructor at NLC. “She was conscientious about her school work, tenacious and a true role model on campus.”

Sanchez’s hard work was evident both on and off campus. She was working her way through school at the Bennigan’s Restaurant at 4300 Airport Freeway in Irving. According to news reports, one example of her dedication and courageous demeanor was the way she often took the initiative to pursue runaway customers who refused to pay their bill, by simply writing down their license plate numbers.

“We were all saddened to hear of the loss of one of our students,” said Dr. Herlinda Coronado, NLC’s president. “The tragedy that occurred in the parking lot of Bennigan’s has changed the lives of many.”

According to The Dallas Morning News and other news sources, four young adults ran up a $131.41 bill for food and liquor, and left the restaurant without paying. When Sanchez, their waitress, went out to the parking lot to write down their license plate number, the suspects ran over her in their 1977 Chevy Nova automobile, witnesses said. Three of the suspects were pulled over a couple of miles from the restaurant and taken into custody. The fourth suspect, who was not in the car at the crime scene, was still on the loose at press time.

There have been numerous media questions of Bennigan’s whether it was a common practice for waitresses to pursue patrons attempting to skip out on the bill. Bennigan’s has persistently stated that it is not their policy, and they said they do not encourage it.

A Bennigan’s employee who asked to remain anonymous told the News-Register that the purpose of the policy is to protect the servers, who could be robbed or attacked in the parking lot. The employee also told the newspaper that he has heard some Bennigan’s managers tell employees to do the opposite of company policy. The employee described seeing both managers and general managers chastise servers for failing to get tag numbers from people who didn't pay their tabs.

Sanchez is survived by her family, her parents, Daniel and Brenda Sanchez; her sister Stephanie (who has also attended North Lake); a host of other family members, friends, supporters and the entire student body and faculty of NLC.

“I am deeply touched how our daughter’s passing affected the community and entire nation,” said Mr. Sanchez, Jennifer’s father. “We will miss her a lot, but we appreciate everyone who called and sent letters and for the outpouring of their prayers, concerns and sympathy.”

Despite this terrible loss, Sanchez’s life has managed to touch a multitude of individuals from Chicago to the members of Congress, who sent the Sanchez family a special card expressing their sympathy. In addition to the entire nation, faculty and students have been extremely affected by this event.

“It is such a tragedy, and shocking to see a student work so hard to get their education,” said Coronado. “She was just starting a new part of her life, what a sad result. It is important to acknowledge tragedies like this, as a part of beginning to heal.”

According to Dallasnews.com, the driver of the car, who police identified as Sarah Foust, 19, was released on bond last week and faces a murder charge. Police identified the other two people in the car as Kortnie Henson, 19, and David Thornton, 19, who are charged with theft of service.

The fourth person, Michael Prewitt, 26, is wanted for misdemeanor warrants accusing him of theft of service and providing alcohol to minors.