JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. (KDVR) — The man who pleaded guilty to killing a renowned Lakewood cyclist in a 2021 crash was sentenced Tuesday. Ryan Montoya will serve eight years in prison, with three years after service for mandatory parole.
Montoya, 29, faced several charges, including vehicular homicide DUI, in connection to the death of 46-year-old Gwen Inglis.
Multiple statements from family, friends and teammates of Gwen Inglis paint a picture of a selfless, loving and talented woman. The prosecution also showed a video, including Inglis’ funeral and ghost-bike dedication.
“She lived a fuller life in 46 years than some people live in 80 or 90,” said Gerry Erffmeyer, Inglis’ father.
“The only thing that could trump Gwen and her positive choices would be crossing the path of somebody who did the complete opposite. Somebody who made destructive and deadly choices and on May 16, 2021. Her path crossed with such a someone,” said Laura Snyder, her older sister.
Cyclists speak up about dangers on the roads
A fellow cyclist, Megan Hottman, recently had a close call with a driver on her own bike. and showed up to speak in a wheelchair. Hottman spoke about the economic impact and financial gain that Jefferson County gets from being a cycling destination.
“Why is the county so excited for us to come here but unwilling to back us and so ready to look the other way when motorists harm us and kill us?” Hottman asked.
Inglis’ husband Michael, who was just a few feet behind his wife when she died, spoke about the tough moments.
“I would have loved to have been side-swiped, but he proceed right in front of me after almost killing me, but didn’t just sideswipe her, he put her in the middle of his windshield,” he said.
The prosecution told Judge Diego D. Hunt that Montoya was driving back from Black Hawk and had marijuana, meth and Xanax in his system at the time of the crash. Additionally, they brought up that Montoya was previously convicted of a DUI in 2014 and has a pending DUI case from 10 days before he killed Inglis.
Man who killed cyclist shares a statement
Montoya himself spoke up in court.
“I need you to know that I’m not all bad, but what I did was not ok,” Montoya said. “I did not wake up with malice in my heart.”
Montoya’s mother blamed herself for her son’s addiction and said she was a single mother, and her son’s childhood was not always stable.
“I feel a deep tragedy that my son took the life of someone so incredibly special, with all my heart, I am so sorry,” she said.
She also asked the judge to do what’s best for her son, saying that there’s no need to ruin another life by sending him to jail. Instead, he needs rehab.
“The ravages of addiction don’t justify the death of another person,” the judge said while handing down the eight-year sentence.
Husband pushes for stronger DUI penalties
Inglis’ husband said he was pleased with the sentence and even said he forgave Montoya, but he added that the laws need to be stricter on repeat DUI offenders.
“Really what we need moving forward is some tougher penalties for repeat offenders. This wasn’t an accident. This guy was doing drugs. This guy got behind the wheel of his vehicle and he killed my wife,” he said.
Around 10 a.m. on May 16, 2021, Inglis and her husband were riding their bicycles eastbound on Alameda Parkway in the clearly marked bike lane, according to police. Witnesses reported Montoya nearly hitting Michael Inglis before drifting out of his lane and striking Inglis in the bike lane.
Gwen Inglis was transported to the hospital, where she later died from her injuries. She was a prominent cyclist and reigning road race champion with national and state titles to her name.
You can watch the sentencing on FOX31 NOW