Drunk illegal migrant accused of causing fatal head-on crash in NJ
An individual believed to be an illegal immigrant from Mexico was involved in a tragic accident that resulted in the deaths of a mother and her young daughter in New Jersey. Raul Luna-Perez, aged 43, was reportedly intoxicated while driving an SUV at high speed when he veered into oncoming traffic, colliding with a smaller vehicle.
Luna-Perez had been residing in Red Bank, N.J., since early 2023, as per federal sources. Although his exact entry point into the U.S. is unclear, he has been previously arrested for DUI twice in March and April, as well as for domestic violence in 2023.
The Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary, Tricia McLaughlin, expressed dismay over Luna-Perez roaming free in New Jersey due to the state’s sanctuary policies. The White House also offered condolences to the family affected by the tragedy, emphasizing the preventable nature of crimes committed by illegal immigrants.
The fatal collision occurred on July 26 when Luna-Perez’s Dodge Durango crashed into Maria Santos Pleitez’s Nissan Sentra. Maria, the mother, was killed instantly, and her 11-year-old daughter, Dayanara Cortes, passed away shortly after arriving at the hospital. Another 11-year-old girl, a friend of Dayanara who was in the back seat, survived the collision and was rushed to the hospital in critical condition, later upgraded to stable condition.
Following the accident, Luna-Perez was charged with two counts of vehicular homicide and assault by auto. With additional charges pending after the results of his blood tests, Luna-Perez faces legal repercussions for his actions.
Maria del Carmen Pleitez, Maria’s niece, shared that the mother and daughter were en route to a local store when the deadly crash occurred. Maria’s friends described her as a dedicated and hardworking individual who played a significant role in her family’s life. A GoFundMe campaign has been initiated to bring Maria and Dayanara’s bodies back to El Salvador for burial, garnering substantial support.
While there are doubts about Luna-Perez’s eventual fate, as authorities mentioned potential deportation to Mexico, the family of the victims insists on ensuring that justice is served. Luna-Perez is currently detained at the Ocean County Jail in Toms River under an active ICE immigration detainer.
With Luna-Perez’s history of recurring violations, questions arise about how he managed to stay in the U.S. despite multiple criminal charges. The tragic incident highlights the importance of addressing criminal illegal immigrant activity and ensuring the safety of communities.