LAKEWOOD — A Red Bank man faces vehicular homicide charges following a head-on collision that claimed two lives on July 26.
The crash occurred around 11:30 p.m. on Cross Street when a Dodge Durango, driven by 43-year-old Raul Luna-Perez, crossed into oncoming traffic and collided with a Nissan Sentra. The driver of the Sentra was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer.
An 11-year-old girl, a passenger in the Nissan, was transported to Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus but later succumbed to her injuries. Another 11-year-old girl from the same vehicle was hospitalized in serious but stable condition, authorities said.
Luna-Perez exhibited signs of impairment at the scene and was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, where a blood sample was collected under warrant. He has been charged with two counts of vehicular homicide and assault by auto related to the incident.
Two passengers in Luna-Perez's vehicle were also transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, treated for minor injuries, and subsequently released.
The investigation into the collision is ongoing.