A Ventura County man has been sentenced to 27 years to life in prison for a deadly collision that occurred in April 2021, resulting in the death of a 16-year-old bicyclist. Samuel Matthew Rocha, 33, was convicted for a series of violent incidents culminating in the crash, which took place near the intersection of Pleasant Valley and Ventura roads in Port Hueneme.

According to prosecutors, on April 19, 2021, Rocha assaulted a man and woman at a laundromat before fleeing the scene and hitting an employee with his vehicle. Shortly afterward, he struck five teenagers on bicycles with his gold Lexus, fatally injuring Pedro Valdez, 16, and fled the area once again. A witness pursued Rocha and followed him to his mother’s nearby apartment complex, where police apprehended him.

Rocha pleaded guilty in August to second-degree murder in connection with Valdez’s death. Earlier this year, a jury convicted him on four counts of assault with a deadly weapon and two counts of battery. However, the jury was unable to reach a verdict on charges of murder and attempted murder related to other victims. The Ventura County district attorney’s office stated that Rocha’s sentence includes 15 years to life for second-degree murder and an additional 12 years for assault and battery charges.

Richard Simon, a senior deputy district attorney who led the prosecution, acknowledged Rocha’s acceptance of responsibility but emphasized that it cannot reverse the profound impact of his actions. “A tragic loss of life occurred because of Mr. Rocha’s actions,” Simon said.

During the trial, defense attorneys argued that Rocha was unmedicated at the time of the crash and had a documented history of severe mental illness, including delusions and hallucinations, and claimed he did not see the bicyclists.

At the sentencing hearing, Valdez’s mother, Christina Garcia, delivered a victim impact statement describing her son as “a respectful, dedicated, hardworking and positive young man.” She expressed the family’s grief, noting, “Because of someone else’s decisions, my family and I have to prepare a Día de los Muertos ofrenda to honor Pedro’s memory instead of planning a birthday celebration.” She also spoke about the emotional struggles faced by other family members after losing Valdez.

One injured bicyclist who survived the crash told the court he was critically ill for three months, bedridden for six more, and continues to experience pain.

Valdez was the founder of the Oxnard Fixie Crew, a youth-focused fixed-gear bicycle club established in 2019. The group remains active and commemorates the anniversary of his death with messages celebrating his life. A post on the club’s social media last year described Valdez as someone who “truly loved life and lived it to the fullest,” encouraging others to remember him with joy rather than sorrow.