Home / Crime and Justice / Son's Killer Freed Early: Family Demands Answers
Son's Killer Freed Early: Family Demands Answers
21 Jan
Summary
- Driver convicted of vehicular manslaughter released early from sentence.
- Victim's family received notice of release, expressing deep pain.
- Family questions sentence reduction and lack of remorse.
A Corona family is reeling from the impending early release of the driver who fatally struck their son, Benjamin Montalvo, in June 2020. Neomi Renee Velado, convicted of vehicular manslaughter and felony hit-and-run, was sentenced to nine years in prison. However, she is scheduled for release in February 2026, having served just over two years of her sentence.
The Montalvo family received notification from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation about Velado's release, a development they described as a "punch in the gut" that compounds their grief. They have reached out to CDCR and the Riverside County District Attorney's Office for an explanation regarding the early release but have not yet received a response.
Benjamin Montalvo was 21 when he was hit from behind while riding a bike with friends near his former high school. His mother stated the driver was texting extensively in the minutes leading up to the crash. The family expressed that while they believe in second chances, they have not witnessed any remorse from Velado, noting this was her fourth hit-and-run incident. They hope for accountability and for her to acknowledge the profound loss her actions caused.
