TOMS RIVER – A Red Bank man will remain jailed pending trial after being charged in a July crash in Lakewood that killed a mother and her daughter, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced.
On Aug. 18, Raul Luna-Perez, 43, consented to remain detained in the Ocean County Jail on two counts of aggravated manslaughter, two counts of strict liability vehicular homicide, two counts of vehicular homicide, and assault by auto, authorities said. He appeared before Superior Court Judge Guy P. Ryan, with the detention hearing handled by Senior Assistant Prosecutor Stephen Burke.
Luna-Perez was initially charged July 27 with two counts of vehicular homicide and assault by auto in connection with the July 26 crash. On Aug. 7, the charges were upgraded to aggravated manslaughter and strict liability vehicular homicide after preliminary blood results revealed Luna-Perez’s blood-alcohol concentration was at least .19 – nearly three times the legal limit, authorities said.
Police said Luna-Perez was driving a Dodge Durango eastbound on Cross Street around 11:20 p.m. when he crossed into the westbound lane and struck a Nissan Sentra head-on near Hearthstone Drive.
The driver of the Sentra, Maria Pleitez, 42, of Lakewood, was pronounced dead at the scene. Her 11-year-old daughter, seated in the front passenger seat, later died at Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus. Another 11-year-old girl riding in the back seat was treated for injuries and released.
Luna-Perez’s passenger sustained minor injuries.
Investigators determined Luna-Perez was traveling about 60 mph, had crossed a double yellow line, and passed four vehicles moments before the collision.
Luna-Perez was initially held in the Ocean County Jail but later released on strict home detention under New Jersey bail reform. He was subsequently transferred to federal custody on an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainer.
On Aug. 7, investigators took him into custody at an ICE detention facility in Elizabeth and returned him to Ocean County, where he remains lodged pending trial.
“As a consequence of Luna-Perez’s preliminary blood draw results and our continuing investigation, the charges against Luna-Perez have been upgraded,” Billhimer said. “Thanks to the cooperation of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Luna-Perez has been returned to Ocean County to face these upgraded charges. His return sends a clear message that our federal partners share in our mission to hold those individuals that commit serious crimes accountable – regardless of their immigration status.”
Billhimer commended the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit–Vehicular Homicide Squad, Lakewood police, the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office CSI Unit, ICE, and the Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office for their work on the case.
