A Corona family says they are heartbroken and outraged after learning that the woman convicted of killing their youngest son could soon be released from prison after serving just two and a half years of a nine-year sentence.
Benjamin Montalvo was killed in July 2020 while riding his bike with friends near his alma mater, Centennial High School in Corona. He was 21 years old. Authorities say Noemi Velado, who was texting while driving, struck Montalvo in a shared bike and vehicle lane before fleeing the scene. She later turned herself in.
Now, Benjamin’s parents, Kellie and Eddie Montalvo, say Velado has never shown remorse or taken responsibility for the devastation left behind.
The family recently learned of Velado’s possible release after receiving a letter from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, stating she could be freed as soon as next month. According to the Montalvos, officials did not explain why she is eligible to serve such a small portion of her sentence.
“We’ve been suffering all this time, and then all of a sudden we find out, yeah, she’s coming out. Why?” Eddie told KTLA’s Rachel Menitoff. “You go through the same thing all over again.”
The couple is now urging local and state lawmakers to classify Velado’s crime as a violent offense, which would require offenders to serve at least 80% of their sentence.
“When you weaponize your vehicle and you’re texting endlessly and you’re high, that’s a violent crime and it should be treated as such,” Kellie said.
While the Montalvos continue honoring their son’s memory by advocating against impaired and distracted driving, they fear Velado has not been fully rehabilitated after such limited time behind bars.
“When you encounter someone like that with no remorse for what she did, she’ll be out doing it again,” Eddie said.
KTLA has reached out to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for clarification on the conditions surrounding Velado’s potential release and is awaiting a response.