Tom’s River Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said a Red Bank man who was charged in a July crash in Lakewood that killed a mother and her kid will stay in jail pending trial.
According to authorities, Raul Luna-Perez, 43, agreed to stay in custody at the Ocean County Jail on August 18 in connection with two counts of assault by auto, two counts of strict responsibility vehicular homicide, two counts of vehicular homicide, and two counts of aggravated manslaughter. Senior Assistant Prosecutor Stephen Burke presided over the detention hearing, which he attended before Superior Court Judge Guy P. Ryan.
In relation to the July 26 collision, Luna-Perez was first accused on July 27 with two counts of vehicular murder and assault by auto. After preliminary test results showed Luna-Perez’s blood-alcohol percentage was at least.19, almost three times the legal limit, the charges were elevated to aggravated manslaughter and strict liability vehicular murder on August 7, according to authorities.
Around 11:20 p.m., according to the police, Luna-Perez was traveling east on Cross Street in a Dodge Durango when he veered into the westbound lane and collided with a Nissan Sentra close to Hearthstone Drive.
Maria Pleitez, 42, of Lakewood, the Sentra’s driver, was declared deceased at the scene. Later, at Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus, her 11-year-old daughter, who was sitting in the front passenger seat, passed away. After receiving medical attention for her injuries, the other 11-year-old girl in the back seat was let go.
Minor injuries were received by Luna-Perez’s passenger.
Investigators found that just before the crash, Luna-Perez had passed four cars, crossed a double yellow line, and was moving at around 60 mph.
Under New Jersey bail reform, Luna-Perez was first detained at the Ocean County Jail before being released on strict home detention. On an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainer, he was then taken to federal custody.
Investigators arrested him at an ICE detention center in Elizabeth on August 7 and brought him back to Ocean County, where he is still being held pending trial.
The accusations against Luna-Perez have been enhanced in light of the preliminary results of her blood draw and our ongoing investigation, Billhimer stated. Luna-Perez is back in Ocean County to face these increased charges, thanks to the assistance of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. His return makes it very evident that our federal partners, irrespective of their immigration status, share our commitment to holding those responsible for severe crimes accountable.
For their efforts on the case, Billhimer praised the Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office, Lakewood police, the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office CSI Unit, ICE, and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit Vehicular Homicide Squad.
