Jacksonville Man Sentenced for Fatal Wrong-Way Crash

Ariel Monteagudo, 40, was sentenced to 12 years in prison after pleading guilty to causing a wrong-way crash that killed 18-year-old Trenton Stewart in Jacksonville on May 9, 2023. Monteagudo was traveling over 100 mph in a 45-mph zone when he collided head-on with Stewart, who was delivering food for DoorDash to support himself while attending Stetson University. Stewart's family described him as a dedicated individual who left a lasting impact on those around him, and his mother expressed the devastating pain of losing her son. In addition to his prison sentence, Monteagudo will lose his driver’s license for life and must participate in counseling and community service. This incident marks Monteagudo’s second vehicular homicide charge, as he previously served 10 years for a separate fatal crash. The case has sparked discussions about the leniency of sentencing in cases of reckless driving leading to fatalities.