JACKSON – A township woman charged in a head-on collision that killed a Toms River couple earlier this year is scheduled to appear in municipal court on December 11.
Marilyn Reyes Perez, 30, faces motor-vehicle charges including reckless driving, unsafe lane change, careless driving and failure to properly secure a child under 8. The charges stem from an April 10 crash on Toms River Road that killed Randy and Elizabeth Rittenhouse, 62 and 60.
Police say Perez was driving south when her SUV crossed the double yellow line and struck the couple’s Chevrolet HHR head-on. Randy Rittenhouse died at the scene; his wife later died at the hospital.
Perez’s 4-year-old daughter, who was properly restrained, suffered severe injuries and underwent emergency surgery. Perez told investigators she did not remember crossing into oncoming traffic and recalled only singing along to music before the crash.
Police reported no signs of impairment. The case was reviewed by the Jackson Police Traffic Safety Bureau and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office before summonses were issued. Perez could face fines, license suspension and points if convicted.
