A California woman who killed a cyclist in her fourth distracted-driving crash is cruising to an early release from prison – and her victim’s family is outraged.
Neomi Velado, 28, struck and killed 21-year-old Benjamin Montalvo in 2020 while he was out riding with friends in Corona, Riverside County.
High and 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.
She had previously been in four previous hit-and-run collisions in which she was distracted by her phone, Montalvo said.
The crash in which Benjamin was killed was Velado’s fifth at-fault crash overall, she said.
Montalvo recently received a letter from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation obtained by The Post, which said Velado would be released on parole.
Department of Corrections spokesman Emily Humpal explained Velado’s early release by noting she received 124 days custody credit for time served before she began her sentence.
“The earliest possible release date for determinately sentenced offenders may be moved up based on credits that apply to the person’s sentence,” Humpal said in a statement. “Velado’s earliest possible release date is February 2026.”
Humpal wouldn’t say if Velado would be allowed to drive legally upon her release. Lawyers for Velado couldn’t immediately be reached.
Montalvo said earlier this week she appealed to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office in an attempt to postpone Velado’s scheduled release date of Feb. 14, but Newsom’s office couldn’t help.
The prosecutors of Velado’s case are also against Velado’s early release, said Riverside County District Attorney spokesman John Hall.
“While we respect the legal process, public safety remains our top priority,” said Hall in a statement. “[We] strongly oppose her release as she has demonstrated that she is a danger to our community.”
Montalvo said she’s still wishful that Velado won’t be released early, but she’s losing hope.
“If they do let her out, I just hope she doesn’t hurt anyone else,” Montalvo said.
