Adult, 11-year-old Killed in Ocean County, NJ Crash; Man Charged

Two people were killed in a weekend crash in Ocean County
A driver is facing multiple serious charges
Authorities say impairment may have been a factor

Two people, including an 11-year-old girl, were killed in a crash in Ocean County late Saturday night and a driver is now facing two counts of vehicular homicide.

Fatal Crash in Lakewood Township

The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office reports the accident happened around 11:20 PM at the intersection of Cross Street and Hearthstone Drive in Lakewood Township.

Authorities say an investigation revealed that a Dodge Durango being driven by 43-year-old Raul Luna-Perez of Red Bank was traveling eastbound on Cross Street when it crossed into the oncoming lane of traffic and collided head-on with a Nissan Sentra.

Cross Street and Hearthstone Drive in Lakewood Twp NJ - Photo: Google Maps

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2 Killed, 3 Injured

The female driver of the Sentra was pronounced dead at the scene.

An 11-year-old girl, who was in the front seat, was taken to Monmouth Medical Center-Southern Campus in Lakewood where she succumbed to her injuries.

Another 11-year-old girl in the backseat was taken to the same hospital and was last reported to be in serious but stable condition.

Two passengers in the Dodge Durango were transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune for treatment of minor injuries and released.

"Signs of impairment"

The prosecutor's office said first responders at the scene detected that Luna-Perez "showed signs of impairment" and he was taken to a local hospital for a draw of his blood for testing. The results of that draw remain pending.

7713Photography

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Charges Filed

Luna-Perez has been charged with two counts of vehicular homicide and assault by auto. He is being held in the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.

The public is reminded that charges are accusations and all persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.