Woman convicted of fatal hit-and-run sentenced to 4 months in prison, victim's family outraged

BOLIVIA, NC (WWAY) — A family is in shock after the woman who killed one of their own was convicted.

Last yearMaria Concepcion Cardona Alejo, 41, struck Michael Archuleta, 20, as he was riding his bike home in Leland. Alejo then left the scene and hid the vehicle in a shed at his home.

Archuleta's body was found in a ditch the next day. Alejo was arrested and ordered to post $25,000 bail, which she posted.

On Monday, Alejo, who entered the country illegally and does not have a driver's license, pleaded guilty to hit-and-run.

The judge sentenced her to 120 days in jail and 36 months of probation. Archuleta's family was outraged by the court's decision. Michael's sister, Angel, said she felt justice had not been served.

“It feels like they're just trying to cover it up and sweep it under the rug. It doesn't matter that a 20-year-old boy was killed and left in a ditch and no one called or did anything about it,” Angel said.

Alejo had already been charged seven times since 2009 for driving without a license.

Michael's great-aunt, Patricia Beavers, believes Alejo received a lighter sentence because she arrived in the country illegally.

“She should be sentenced to years in prison. Because if it was me, my husband, any of us sitting here right now, we'd all be in prison for who knows how long,” Beavers said.

Family members also said the sentencing level for a fatal hit-and-run was too low.

Michael's cousin, Emily Archuleta Mesa, noted that even though Alejo will be released just in time for Christmas, their family will have to move on without Michael.

“He'll never graduate, he'll never get on stage, he'll never get a chance to be first. She took that away from him and murdered him,” Emily said.

“Now I have no one. No one who grew up with the same things I did, no one I can talk to about a childhood memory we shared together. It’s just empty and gone,” Angel added.