Maria Martinez, 29, was sentenced to six months in jail, 10 years probation and 240 hours of community service by State District Judge William R. Eichman Thursday morning for her role in a 2014 deadly hit and run.
“We’re all a bit devastated that she didn’t get more prison time than what we thought that she deserved,” the victim’s aunt Leann Johnston said.
In July 2014, police said Matthew Valadez was on a morning jog near 20th and Iola when Martinez hit him with her car. She then fled the scene.
A Crimeline tip led police to the car and Martinez was arrested a few days later. A grand jury indicted Martinez on a second-degree charge of failure to stop and render aid involving a death. She was later released on bond.
“Hitting and killing innocent people that are out minding their own business, unless the law changes this is what we’re all going to have to face,” Johnston said.
She said Martinez’s guilty plea and sentencing on Thursday will never fix what her family lost.
