The death of Benjamin Montalvo was not an accident — it was a catastrophic failure of the State of California.

A driver with a long, violent history of DUIs, hit‑and‑runs, and reckless behavior was repeatedly allowed back on the road, and the DMV’s decision to reinstate that license cost Benjamin his life. This is not an isolated mistake. It is a pattern of negligence that endangers every cyclist and pedestrian in our state.

Benjamin should still be alive. The system put him in harm’s way.

What Happened to Benjamin Montalvo

Benjamin was killed by a driver who had no business operating a vehicle. This individual had:

• Multiple hit‑and‑run offenses
• Multiple DUI incidents
• A long, documented history of violent and dangerous driving

Despite this record, the DMV reinstated their license — knowingly placing the public at risk. That administrative decision directly led to Benjamin’s death.

This is not a paperwork error. It is a lethal failure of oversight.

The Montalvo Family at LA Critical Mass

Benjamin’s parents, Kelly and Eddie Montalvo, attended the recent LA Critical Mass ride and participated in the 2,220‑second die‑in, symbolizing the number of lives lost to traffic violence each year. They lay on the ground with masses of cyclists while holding a photo of their son — a stark, undeniable reminder of the human cost of administrative negligence.

During the ride, Kelly spoke with cyclists and participants alongside Lisa, president of LA Critical Mass, and Damien, executive director of SAFE Los Angeles, sharing Benjamin’s story, explaining the failures that led to his death, and urging the community to support her DMV reform petition. Her message was urgent and clear: this system is killing people, and it must be changed now.

Kelly Montalvo: Turning Grief Into Urgent Advocacy

Kelly is not just a grieving mother — she is a leader fighting to prevent other families from experiencing the same devastation. As the head of the SAFE Corona Inland Empire Chapter, she has transformed her loss into a statewide demand for accountability.

Her petition is a direct challenge to the DMV’s broken reinstatement system. It calls out the policies that allowed a violent repeat offender to regain driving privileges and ultimately take her son’s life.

Kelly’s advocacy is not optional. It is necessary. Every day the DMV delays reform, more lives are placed at risk.

Why LA Critical Mass Supports the Montalvo Family

Benjamin’s death is part of a statewide pattern of preventable tragedies:

• Violent drivers regain licenses with little scrutiny.
• License reinstatement decisions lack transparency and oversight.
• Families pay the price for administrative choices that prioritize convenience over public safety.

Cyclists and pedestrians are the ones who suffer the consequences. We ride exposed, unprotected, and vulnerable to drivers who should have been permanently removed from the road.

This is not just a family tragedy — it is a public safety emergency.

DMV Reform Petition — Support Kelly’s Fight for Immediate Change

Kelly’s petition demands urgent reforms, including:

• Permanent license revocation for repeat DUI offenders
• Permanent license revocation for repeat hit‑and‑run offenders
• Mandatory review and transparency for all license reinstatement decisions
• Clear statewide standards for revoking licenses after violent driving offenses

These reforms are designed to stop dangerous drivers from returning to the road and to prevent tragedies like Benjamin’s from ever happening again.

LA Critical Mass is calling on every rider, advocate, and community member to sign this petition. Change will not happen unless we demand it — loudly, urgently, and together.

A Call for Accountability

Benjamin Montalvo’s death demands immediate action. The DMV must be held accountable for the decisions that put violent drivers back behind the wheel. LA Critical Mass will continue to stand with the Montalvo family, amplify Kelly’s voice, and fight relentlessly for reforms that protect all road users.

Traffic violence is preventable.
Administrative negligence is deadly.
And our community refuses to let Benjamin’s story be ignored.