A mother has delivered a devastating statement in court to the man who killed her son in a hit-and-run crash and then fled the scene. Jeff Diedenhofen, 29, was struck and killed while crossing a road on the Las Vegas Strip in May 2025. The driver, Stephon Watkins, 37, hit him and drove away, remaining at large for over six months before his arrest in December 2025.
Mother's Grief Laid Bare
Jennifer Diedenhofen attended the sentencing hearing in Las Vegas, where she described the profound impact of her son's death. Surrounded by photographs of Jeff and with his ashes on the table before her, she addressed the court with raw emotion.
'When I close my eyes, I see my son, that smiling, bright, blue-eyed child who made me a mother being struck by that speeding car,' she said. 'Jeff is not defined by the way he died. He is defined by the way he lived and the love he brought into the lives of those who knew him, especially to me, his mother.'
According to the Las Vegas Review Journal, Mrs. Diedenhofen described her son as creative, independent, and driven, a man who deeply valued his family and friends. She added, 'A sentence has an end point. This loss does not.'
The Fatal Night
Jeff had been attending a Bitcoin 2025 conference when the tragedy occurred. At around 3:30 a.m. on May 30, he was crossing West Flamingo Road near South Las Vegas Boulevard with two other people. Watkins, driving a BMW, accelerated to between 79 and 86 mph in a 35 mph zone moments before hitting Jeff. Police received multiple 911 calls, but emergency crews found Jeff beyond resuscitation and pronounced him dead at the scene.
Flight and Arrest
After the crash, Watkins fled. His BMW was found nearby with severe front-end damage. Security footage from a local business showed Watkins and his passenger, Rodney Feemster, exiting the vehicle. After about half an hour, Watkins ordered a ride-share and left. He remained on the run for nearly seven months until his arrest in Sacramento on December 8, 2025.
In court, Watkins admitted to failing to stop at the scene of a fatal crash. He was sentenced to four to 12 years in prison. During sentencing, he wept and apologized, explaining his acceleration by saying, 'I was trying to make a still-green light.' His public defender, Marsella Saldanha, stated, 'Stephon is deeply remorseful, both for speeding that night and also for not staying at the scene with Jeffrey that night.'
District Judge Kathleen Delaney remarked, 'The only thing we could ever hope is that someone who did something so horrific and so tragic and so unnecessary would find a path forward when they're no longer incarcerated. Assuming they make it on the other side of that incarceration, to pay it forward to honour Jeff and to honour the life that was taken so unnecessarily.'
A Preventable Loss
Jeff's father, John Diedenhofen, expressed his belief that his son's death was entirely avoidable. 'From the video evidence, I believe my son would have escaped injury and still be alive if Mr. Watkins had braked, just lifted or even maintained his prior, already excessive speed,' he said.
Remembering Jeff
Jeff was the co-founder of ALTINAD, a financial solutions provider. His friends and family have shared heartfelt tributes on a memorial page. Chris Fletcher wrote, 'Jeff was a light in our lives—kind-hearted, full of energy, and deeply loved. At just 29, his journey was tragically cut short, leaving behind a void that words can scarcely fill. Yet in his short time with us, Jeff made a lasting impact. He will be remembered for his infectious laughter, generous spirit, and unwavering love for those around him.'
Thomas Fletcher added, 'I didn't have an older brother growing up but I had my older cousin. Even though we didn't see each other much, as I spent most of my childhood growing up overseas, he still held that place in my heart. Every time I heard stories about him from my mom, usually something wild or hilarious, felt like I knew him a little better. I always liked hearing about the trouble he was getting into. It made me laugh, and made me feel connected to him. Even from a distance, I admired him. And even now, with him gone, I carry that same admiration with me. I wish we'd had more time together, more chances to just hang out and be cousins. But I'm grateful for the memories I do have, and for the stories that keep him alive in all of us. He left a mark on everyone who knew him. He mattered more than words can say. And no matter the distance or time apart, he'll always be my family.'
