A California woman who killed a cyclist in her fourthdistracted-drivingcrash is cruising to an early release from prison – and her victim’s family is outraged.
Neomi Velado, 28,struckand killed 21-year-old Benjamin Montalvo in 2020 while he was out riding with friends in Corona, Riverside County.
Highand texting at the time of the crash, Velado began serving a nine-year prison term for vehicular manslaughter in 2023.
But less than three years later Velado is set to be released early for good behavior.
And Benjamin’s mother, Kellie Montalvo, is furious that Velado is set to stroll out of the California Institution for Women in nearly Chino on Valentine’s Day.
“It’s a gut punch and an outrage for sure,” said Montalvo, who lives in Corona with her husband and has three other sons. “There’s no way this woman has been rehabilitated in just two-and-a-half years.”
Montalvo said Benjamin was “a light” who brought joy to his many friends and enjoyed playing football, soccer and basketball, as well as cycling.
Benjamin’s death has destroyed the once-happy Montalvo family, she said.
Police said Velado was impaired and texting when she struck Montalvo’s son. Velado fled the scene of the crash and even replaced her smashed windshield to cover up the crime, prosecutors said.
Velado was sentenced to nine years for vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and fleeing the scene after committing vehicular manslaughter, prison officials said.
Source: California Post – Breaking California News, Photos & Videos
