The driver who fatally slammed into a Creekside High School graduate in a 113-mph wrong way crash in 2023 has pleaded guilty to vehicular manslaughter — the second time he’s admitted to killing someone from behind the wheel.
Ariel Monteagudo, 40, now faces up to 12 years in prison for the death of 18-year-old Trenton Stewart, a standout football player at Stetson University who was making Doordash deliveries while home on summer break.
Florida law dictates that the felony charge Monteagudo pleaded guilty to — second-degree vehicular homicide — carries a maximum 15-year prison sentence.
Prosecutors worked out a deal that will see him sentenced to 8 to 12 years behind bars.
Trenton’s father told Action Jax that the penalty is woefully insufficient, and that he’s frustrated by the law’s limitations.
“The fact that we’re sitting in a situation where we know this person has killed multiple people, and the maximum prison sentence is 15 years, is a huge disconnect for me,” Robert Stewart told the station.
Monteagudo — who served 10 years in Broward County for a prior vehicular homicide case — admitted to slamming his Mercedes into Stewart’s Ford Trailblazer on Old St. Augustine Road at 1 a.m.
He was traveling at 113-mph in a 45-mph zone, and sent Stewart’s vehicle flying into a tree 138-feet from the crash site after flipping over.
Monteagudo was arrested by federal marshals six months after the incident.
According to the Florida Department of Corrections, he has five additional prior convictions and has served prison time for them.
The Stewart family has raised tens of thousands of dollars in Trenton’s name, and will host a Dec. 18 fundraiser at Tap Bar & Grill in St. Johns.
One Response
Prosecutors worked out a deal! — This scumbag needs more than a 2nd degree felony – ol sparky is waiting!!!!