The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office has announced that Raul Luna-Perez of Red Bank faces charges following a fatal crash in Lakewood. He is charged with two counts of vehicular homicide and one count of assault by auto after the incident resulted in the deaths of a woman and an 11-year-old girl, as well as injuries to another child.
According to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office press release, the crash occurred on July 26, 2025, at approximately 11:20 p.m. at the intersection of Cross Street and Hearthstone Drive in Lakewood. Investigators have determined that Luna-Perez was driving a Dodge Durango eastbound when it veered into the oncoming lane, colliding head-on with a Nissan Sentra. The collision led to the immediate death of the Nissan’s female driver at the scene. An 11-year-old front-seat passenger succumbed to injuries later at Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus, while another 11-year-old rear-seat passenger remains hospitalized in serious but stable condition.
The Prosecutor’s Office reports that first responders noticed signs of impairment in Luna-Perez at the crash site. He was subsequently taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center for a court-authorized blood draw; results are pending. Two passengers in Luna-Perez’s vehicle were also hospitalized with minor injuries but have since been released.
Luna-Perez is currently held in Ocean County Jail awaiting a detention hearing. The press release from the Prosecutor’s Office acknowledges the collaborative efforts of several agencies, including its Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad, Lakewood Township Police Department, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, and Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office.
The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office is tasked with investigating and prosecuting criminal cases within Ocean County, New Jersey. It operates specialized squads like the Major Crime Unit-Vehicular Homicide Squad for investigating fatal traffic incidents and other serious offenses. The office collaborates with local, county, and state agencies to ensure public safety and uphold justice.
