{"id":10018,"date":"2026-09-29T00:43:28","date_gmt":"2026-09-29T00:43:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/?p=10018"},"modified":"2026-09-29T01:53:04","modified_gmt":"2026-09-29T01:53:04","slug":"la-critical-mass-stands-with-the-montalvo-family-a-preventable-loss-and-an-urgent-demand-for-dmv-reform","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/la-critical-mass-stands-with-the-montalvo-family-a-preventable-loss-and-an-urgent-demand-for-dmv-reform\/","title":{"rendered":"LA Critical Mass Stands With the Montalvo Family: A Preventable Loss and an Urgent Demand for DMV Reform"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The death of Benjamin Montalvo was not an accident \u2014 it was a catastrophic failure of the State of California.<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Driver who killed a Corona man is set to be early released from prison\" width=\"696\" height=\"392\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/rRuEpKzG3Rc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A driver with a long, violent history of DUIs, hit\u2011and\u2011runs, and reckless behavior was repeatedly allowed back on the road, and the DMV\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Benjamin should still be alive. The system put him in harm\u2019s way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Happened to Benjamin Montalvo<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Benjamin was killed by a driver who had no business operating a vehicle. This individual had:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Multiple <strong>hit\u2011and\u2011run<\/strong> offenses<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Multiple <strong>DUI<\/strong> incidents<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A long, documented history of violent and dangerous driving<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Despite this record, the DMV reinstated their license \u2014 knowingly placing the public at risk. That administrative decision directly led to Benjamin\u2019s death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is not a paperwork error. It is a lethal failure of oversight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Montalvo Family at LA Critical Mass<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Benjamin\u2019s parents, <strong>Kelly and Eddie Montalvo<\/strong>, attended the recent LA Critical Mass ride and participated in the <strong>2,220\u2011second die\u2011in<\/strong>, 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 \u2014 a stark, undeniable reminder of the human cost of administrative negligence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped td-modal-on-gallery wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1375\" height=\"1031\" data-id=\"10020\" src=\"https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/media\/2026\/09\/Los-Angeles-Critical-Mass-September-2026-Die-In.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10020\" srcset=\"https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/media\/2026\/09\/Los-Angeles-Critical-Mass-September-2026-Die-In.jpg 1375w, https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/media\/2026\/09\/Los-Angeles-Critical-Mass-September-2026-Die-In-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/media\/2026\/09\/Los-Angeles-Critical-Mass-September-2026-Die-In-767x575.jpg 767w, https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/media\/2026\/09\/Los-Angeles-Critical-Mass-September-2026-Die-In-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/media\/2026\/09\/Los-Angeles-Critical-Mass-September-2026-Die-In-80x60.jpg 80w, https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/media\/2026\/09\/Los-Angeles-Critical-Mass-September-2026-Die-In-200x150.jpg 200w, https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/media\/2026\/09\/Los-Angeles-Critical-Mass-September-2026-Die-In-149x112.jpg 149w, https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/media\/2026\/09\/Los-Angeles-Critical-Mass-September-2026-Die-In-299x224.jpg 299w, https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/media\/2026\/09\/Los-Angeles-Critical-Mass-September-2026-Die-In-323x242.jpg 323w, https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/media\/2026\/09\/Los-Angeles-Critical-Mass-September-2026-Die-In-480x360.jpg 480w, https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/media\/2026\/09\/Los-Angeles-Critical-Mass-September-2026-Die-In-695x521.jpg 695w, https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/media\/2026\/09\/Los-Angeles-Critical-Mass-September-2026-Die-In-1067x800.jpg 1067w, https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/media\/2026\/09\/Los-Angeles-Critical-Mass-September-2026-Die-In-599x449.jpg 599w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1375px) 100vw, 1375px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1375\" height=\"1031\" data-id=\"10021\" src=\"https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/media\/2026\/09\/Los-Angeles-Critical-Mass-September-2026-Die-In-Grand-Park.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10021\" srcset=\"https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/media\/2026\/09\/Los-Angeles-Critical-Mass-September-2026-Die-In-Grand-Park.jpg 1375w, https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/media\/2026\/09\/Los-Angeles-Critical-Mass-September-2026-Die-In-Grand-Park-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/media\/2026\/09\/Los-Angeles-Critical-Mass-September-2026-Die-In-Grand-Park-767x575.jpg 767w, https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/media\/2026\/09\/Los-Angeles-Critical-Mass-September-2026-Die-In-Grand-Park-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/media\/2026\/09\/Los-Angeles-Critical-Mass-September-2026-Die-In-Grand-Park-80x60.jpg 80w, https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/media\/2026\/09\/Los-Angeles-Critical-Mass-September-2026-Die-In-Grand-Park-149x112.jpg 149w, https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/media\/2026\/09\/Los-Angeles-Critical-Mass-September-2026-Die-In-Grand-Park-200x150.jpg 200w, https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/media\/2026\/09\/Los-Angeles-Critical-Mass-September-2026-Die-In-Grand-Park-299x224.jpg 299w, https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/media\/2026\/09\/Los-Angeles-Critical-Mass-September-2026-Die-In-Grand-Park-323x242.jpg 323w, https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/media\/2026\/09\/Los-Angeles-Critical-Mass-September-2026-Die-In-Grand-Park-480x360.jpg 480w, https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/media\/2026\/09\/Los-Angeles-Critical-Mass-September-2026-Die-In-Grand-Park-695x521.jpg 695w, https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/media\/2026\/09\/Los-Angeles-Critical-Mass-September-2026-Die-In-Grand-Park-1067x800.jpg 1067w, https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/media\/2026\/09\/Los-Angeles-Critical-Mass-September-2026-Die-In-Grand-Park-599x449.jpg 599w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1375px) 100vw, 1375px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During the ride, Kelly spoke with cyclists and participants alongside <strong>Lisa, president of LA Critical Mass<\/strong>, and <strong>Damien, executive director of SAFE Los Angeles<\/strong>, sharing Benjamin\u2019s 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: <strong>this system is killing people, and it must be changed now.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div><a href=\"https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/media\/2026\/09\/Los-Angeles-Critical-Mass-Kelly-Montalvo.jpg\" class=\"td-modal-image\"><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1375\" height=\"1031\" src=\"https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/media\/2026\/09\/Los-Angeles-Critical-Mass-Kelly-Montalvo.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10022\" srcset=\"https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/media\/2026\/09\/Los-Angeles-Critical-Mass-Kelly-Montalvo.jpg 1375w, https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/media\/2026\/09\/Los-Angeles-Critical-Mass-Kelly-Montalvo-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/media\/2026\/09\/Los-Angeles-Critical-Mass-Kelly-Montalvo-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/media\/2026\/09\/Los-Angeles-Critical-Mass-Kelly-Montalvo-80x60.jpg 80w, https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/media\/2026\/09\/Los-Angeles-Critical-Mass-Kelly-Montalvo-767x575.jpg 767w, https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/media\/2026\/09\/Los-Angeles-Critical-Mass-Kelly-Montalvo-149x112.jpg 149w, https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/media\/2026\/09\/Los-Angeles-Critical-Mass-Kelly-Montalvo-200x150.jpg 200w, https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/media\/2026\/09\/Los-Angeles-Critical-Mass-Kelly-Montalvo-299x224.jpg 299w, https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/media\/2026\/09\/Los-Angeles-Critical-Mass-Kelly-Montalvo-323x242.jpg 323w, https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/media\/2026\/09\/Los-Angeles-Critical-Mass-Kelly-Montalvo-480x360.jpg 480w, https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/media\/2026\/09\/Los-Angeles-Critical-Mass-Kelly-Montalvo-695x521.jpg 695w, https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/media\/2026\/09\/Los-Angeles-Critical-Mass-Kelly-Montalvo-1067x800.jpg 1067w, https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/media\/2026\/09\/Los-Angeles-Critical-Mass-Kelly-Montalvo-599x449.jpg 599w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1375px) 100vw, 1375px\" \/><\/figure><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Kelly Montalvo: Turning Grief Into Urgent Advocacy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Kelly is not just a grieving mother \u2014 she is a leader fighting to prevent other families from experiencing the same devastation. As the head of the <strong>SAFE Corona Inland Empire Chapter<\/strong>, she has transformed her loss into a statewide demand for accountability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Her petition is a direct challenge to the DMV\u2019s broken reinstatement system. It calls out the policies that allowed a violent repeat offender to regain driving privileges and ultimately take her son\u2019s life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Kelly\u2019s advocacy is not optional. It is necessary. Every day the DMV delays reform, more lives are placed at risk.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\" style=\"margin-top:50px;margin-bottom:50px\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"750\" height=\"289\" src=\"https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/media\/2026\/02\/los-angeles-critical-mass-safe-feb-2026.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7179\" style=\"aspect-ratio:2.5952501263264276;width:482px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/media\/2026\/02\/los-angeles-critical-mass-safe-feb-2026.jpg 750w, https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/media\/2026\/02\/los-angeles-critical-mass-safe-feb-2026-300x116.jpg 300w, https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/media\/2026\/02\/los-angeles-critical-mass-safe-feb-2026-150x58.jpg 150w, https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/media\/2026\/02\/los-angeles-critical-mass-safe-feb-2026-696x268.jpg 696w, https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/media\/2026\/02\/los-angeles-critical-mass-safe-feb-2026-600x231.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why LA Critical Mass Supports the Montalvo Family<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Benjamin\u2019s death is part of a statewide pattern of preventable tragedies:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Violent drivers regain licenses with little scrutiny.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>License reinstatement decisions lack transparency and oversight.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Families pay the price for administrative choices that prioritize convenience over public safety.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is not just a family tragedy \u2014 it is a public safety emergency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">DMV Reform Petition \u2014 Support Kelly\u2019s Fight for Immediate Change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Kelly\u2019s petition demands urgent reforms, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Permanent license revocation for repeat DUI offenders<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Permanent license revocation for repeat hit\u2011and\u2011run offenders<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Mandatory review and transparency for all license reinstatement decisions<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Clear statewide standards for revoking licenses after violent driving offenses<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These reforms are designed to stop dangerous drivers from returning to the road and to prevent tragedies like Benjamin\u2019s from ever happening again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">LA Critical Mass is calling on every rider, advocate, and community member to sign this petition. Change will not happen unless we demand it \u2014 loudly, urgently, and together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.change.org\/p\/if-ca-dmv-were-doing-its-job-my-son-might-still-be-alive-remove-the-director-and-reform\" style=\"border-top-left-radius:8px;border-top-right-radius:8px;border-bottom-left-radius:8px;border-bottom-right-radius:8px;background-color:#dfa916\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Click to sign the petition now.<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"margin-top:60px\">A Call for Accountability<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Benjamin Montalvo\u2019s death demands immediate action. <strong>The DMV must be held accountable for the decisions that put violent drivers back behind the wheel.<\/strong> LA Critical Mass will continue to stand with the Montalvo family, amplify Kelly\u2019s voice, and fight relentlessly for reforms that protect all road users.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Traffic violence is preventable. <br>Administrative negligence is deadly. <br>And our community refuses to let Benjamin\u2019s story be ignored.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div><a href=\"https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/media\/2026\/09\/Los-Angeles-Critical-Mass-Montalvo-Familty.jpg\" class=\"td-modal-image\"><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1375\" height=\"1031\" src=\"https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/media\/2026\/09\/Los-Angeles-Critical-Mass-Montalvo-Familty.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10023\" srcset=\"https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/media\/2026\/09\/Los-Angeles-Critical-Mass-Montalvo-Familty.jpg 1375w, https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/media\/2026\/09\/Los-Angeles-Critical-Mass-Montalvo-Familty-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/media\/2026\/09\/Los-Angeles-Critical-Mass-Montalvo-Familty-767x575.jpg 767w, https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/media\/2026\/09\/Los-Angeles-Critical-Mass-Montalvo-Familty-80x60.jpg 80w, https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/media\/2026\/09\/Los-Angeles-Critical-Mass-Montalvo-Familty-200x150.jpg 200w, https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/media\/2026\/09\/Los-Angeles-Critical-Mass-Montalvo-Familty-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/media\/2026\/09\/Los-Angeles-Critical-Mass-Montalvo-Familty-149x112.jpg 149w, https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/media\/2026\/09\/Los-Angeles-Critical-Mass-Montalvo-Familty-323x242.jpg 323w, https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/media\/2026\/09\/Los-Angeles-Critical-Mass-Montalvo-Familty-299x224.jpg 299w, https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/media\/2026\/09\/Los-Angeles-Critical-Mass-Montalvo-Familty-480x360.jpg 480w, https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/media\/2026\/09\/Los-Angeles-Critical-Mass-Montalvo-Familty-1067x800.jpg 1067w, https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/media\/2026\/09\/Los-Angeles-Critical-Mass-Montalvo-Familty-695x521.jpg 695w, https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/media\/2026\/09\/Los-Angeles-Critical-Mass-Montalvo-Familty-599x449.jpg 599w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1375px) 100vw, 1375px\" \/><\/figure><\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The death of Benjamin Montalvo was not an accident \u2014 it was a catastrophic failure of the State of California. A driver with a long, violent history of DUIs, hit\u2011and\u2011runs, and reckless behavior was repeatedly allowed back on the road, and the DMV\u2019s decision to reinstate that license cost Benjamin his life. This is not [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":10019,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"h5ap_radio_sources":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[23,5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10018","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-featured","category-in-the-news"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>LA Critical Mass Stands With the Montalvo Family: A Preventable Loss and an Urgent Demand for DMV Reform - LACM<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Benjamin Montalvo\u2019s death was a catastrophic failure of the State of California. A driver with a long record of DUIs, hit\u2011and\u2011runs, and reckless behavior was repeatedly allowed back on the road, and the DMV\u2019s decision to reinstate that license cost Benjamin his life. His family is demanding accountability, and LA Critical Mass is joining their urgent call for statewide DMV reform.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/la-critical-mass-stands-with-the-montalvo-family-a-preventable-loss-and-an-urgent-demand-for-dmv-reform\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"LA Critical Mass Stands With the Montalvo Family: A Preventable Loss and an Urgent Demand for DMV Reform\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Benjamin Montalvo\u2019s death was a catastrophic failure of the State of California. A driver with a long record of DUIs, hit\u2011and\u2011runs, and reckless behavior was repeatedly allowed back on the road, and the DMV\u2019s decision to reinstate that license cost Benjamin his life. His family is demanding accountability, and LA Critical Mass is joining their urgent call for statewide DMV reform.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/la-critical-mass-stands-with-the-montalvo-family-a-preventable-loss-and-an-urgent-demand-for-dmv-reform\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"LACM\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/profile.php?id=61561025602776\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-09-29T00:43:28+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-09-29T01:53:04+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"http:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/media\/2026\/09\/Los-Angeles-Critical-Mass-Montalvo-Familty.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1375\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1031\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"L.A. 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