Woman accused of hitting and killing 10-year-old Watsonville boy in court

A Santa Cruz Superior Court Judge denied an increase in bail for 19-year-old Brenda Velador Wednesday morning.

Velador is accused of hitting 10-year-old Jesse Ventura as he crossed a Watsonville street on his scooter, pleaded not guilty to new vehicular manslaughter charges.

The bail will stay at $60,000 and she is not currently in custody.

The judge did grant the request from prosecutors to place restrictions on Velador, those include: no driving, mandatory drug testing and regular check-ins with a probation officer. Velador must also reside in one home and not move around out of the county.

Velador’s public defender told NewsChannel 5 that she has always been cooperative with police and even stopped to render aid to Ventura, as well as give a statement to police on scene.
The attorney also said Velador was following orders of the foster care system she is currently a part of, which is why she was out of the area when police eventually went to arrest her.

Jesse Ventura’s family had filed a civil lawsuit against Velador alleging gross negligence. Attorney Stephen Wagner said the suit will be amended now that Ventura has passed away to include wrongful death.

The family attorney also said that Velador tested positive for high levels of THC in a blood analysis after the accident.

Velador will be back in court for a preliminary hearing on December 15th.

Jesse Ventura’s mother and family members were in court Wednesday facing Velador for the first time. Jesse’s mother, who as with him in the crosswalk at the time of the accident, said Wednesday, told NewsChannel 5 she wants justice. Alicia Vasquez said she had hoped Jesse would recover and said now “nothing is the same without him.”