Los Angeles streets have once again witnessed tragedy, and this Friday’s Critical Mass ride will stop to confront it directly.
Families are grieving, cyclists are demanding accountability, and the community will gather at the main break for a 220‑second die‑in — one second for each person killed by traffic violence in 2026. Partnering with SAFE (Streets Are For Everyone), the ride will honor Benjamin Montalvo, Hernan Martinez, and every victim whose death was preventable, while exposing the failures that continue to put lives at risk.
Dedicated to Families and Community
Los Angeles Critical Mass will dedicate this Friday’s ride to all families devastated by preventable traffic violence in 2026 — including the Montalvos, who lost their son Benjamin in July 2020, and the Martinez family, who lost 16‑year‑old Hernan this week in Hyde Park.
Both families ride with LA Critical Mass. Both are part of our community. One was failed by a system that put a dangerous driver back on the road, while the other was failed by a system that allows killers to escape accountability and remain free. Together, they stand with the hundreds of families whose loved ones are represented in this 220‑second die‑in.
Benjamin’s Killer Served Only 2 of 9 Years — and Is Driving Again
In July 2020, Benjamin Montalvo was killed by Neomi Velado, a driver with:
- Three prior hit‑and‑runs
- Multiple DUIs
- A long history of reckless driving
Benjamin was her fourth victim.
Neomi Velado was sentenced to nine years in prison — but the state released her after just two years. Today, she is back behind the wheel.
After four prior hit‑and‑run convictions, the Montalvo family is outraged. The cycling community is outraged. And LA Critical Mass is making this Friday’s die‑in a major public stand because the DMV allowed a repeat offender to return to the road after serving only 22% of her sentence.
Benjamin should still be alive. Instead, the person who killed him is driving again.
Another Preventable Death — and the Killer Is Still at Large
Just days ago, 16‑year‑old Hernan Martinez was killed while walking home with his mother and sister near 60th Street and 10th Avenue. A speeding driver blew through a stop sign, struck all three, and fled.
Hernan died. His 13‑year‑old sister Vicky suffered a fractured pelvis. His mother Maria survived but witnessed the entire impact.
The driver never stopped. The driver never called for help. The driver never turned themselves in. As of today, the killer has not been found.
And this tragedy hits even closer to home:
The Martinez family rides LA Critical Mass regularly.
They are part of our ride. They are part of our community. They are part of our family.
Hernan’s older brother Eliseo, a regular LACM cyclists and participant, described him as “the smartest kid you’ve ever met — talented, sweet, and always listened to his mother.”
This Friday’s 220‑Second Die‑In at Our Main Break
At our main break this Friday:
- Kelly and Eddie Montalvo will speak for 10 minutes
- Eliseo Martinez and his family will be honored
- Cyclists will participate in a 220‑second die‑in, laying down their bikes in silence — one second for each life lost to traffic violence in Los Angeles this year
This is not symbolic.
This is a demand.
We Demand Accountability. We Demand DMV Reform.
Los Angeles cannot continue to tolerate:
- Repeat offenders being re‑licensed
- Violent drivers serving a fraction of their sentences
- Hit‑and‑run killers escaping consequences
- Residential streets turned into speedways
- A DMV system that reinstates licenses for individuals who repeatedly harm others
We can build bike lanes.
We can install barriers.
But without responsible, safe drivers, none of us are safe.
LA Critical Mass and SAFE: United for Real Change
This Friday’s die‑in is not just LA Critical Mass. We are collaborating with SAFE (Streets Are For Everyone) to demand legislative reform, stronger oversight, and accountability for dangerous drivers.
Together, we stand with the Montalvo and Martinez families.
Together, we stand with every cyclist and every parent who fears the next preventable tragedy.
Together, we demand change.
This Friday, we ride for Benjamin.
We ride for Hernan.
We ride for every family who never should have had to bury a child.
We ride for the 220 lives lost this year.
No more senseless deaths. No more traffic violence. Enough is enough.
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