RARITAN, NJ — A Raritan man who was driving while intoxicated killed a 1-year-old boy after his car jumped a curb and struck a mom and her two young children Saturday night, according to authorities.
The mother suffered serious injuries and the 5-year-old suffered critical injuries. Both remained hospitalized on Monday. The 1-year-old boy was later pronounced dead at the hospital, according to the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office.
Ronald B. Rebernik, 62, of Second Street was driving his 2004 Ford Escape southbound on Anderson Street when he crossed to the northbound side, hit two parked vehicles, left the roadway and continued southbound on the sidewalk.
He then hit the Raritan mom and her two sons, according to Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson.
Rebernik then continued driving southbound on the sidewalk after striking the family, and went back onto the roadway where he hit two more parked vehicles on the northbound side of Anderson Street before stopping.
The 36-year-old Raritan Borough mother had been was walking northbound on the sidewalk with her son, age 5, while pushing her 1-year-old son in a stroller. All of the victims were transported to area hospitals, Robertson said.
All three were treated at the scene by first responders and transported to area hospitals by Medics and Medevac.
Rebernik was arrested and charged with second-degree vehicular homicide, two counts of third-degree assault by auto, third-degree possession of controlled dangerous substance (CDS), and a disorderly person’s offense of under the influence of CDS.
Rebernik was also issued numerous motor vehicle summonses for DWI, DWI in a school zone, careless driving, reckless driving, and CDS in a motor vehicle.
Rebernik was transported to an area hospital where he remains under police guard. Upon release Rebernik will be transported to the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing.
Anyone who may have witnessed this accident is asked to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office at 908-231-7100 or the Raritan Borough Police Department at 908-725-6700.
Anonymous reports can also be made via the STOPit app. The STOPit app allows citizens to provide information including videos and photos, anonymously. The STOPit app can be downloaded to your smart phone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: SOMERSETNJ.
Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477) or online at www.888577tips.org or at www.scpo.net and click on either “Crime Stoppers” or “TIPS HOTLINE”. All anonymous Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.
(Image via Somerset County Prosecutor's Office: Ronald B. Rebernik, 62, of Second Street, Raritan Borough)
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