Anderston Street To Close For Funeral Of 1-Year-Old Raritan Baby

RARITAN, NJ — Drivers should expect closures on Anderson Street in Raritan Thursday due to the funeral of a borough baby Matias Ortega, who was celebrating his first birthday with his family when he was hit and killed by an alleged impaired driver.

The intermittent road closures will be from First Street to Route 202 between 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Drivers are advised to avoid the area if possible, Raritan Police announced.

The viewing will be held Thursday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at St. Ann Church, 45 Anderson St., Raritan, followed by a funeral mass at 11 a.m., Bongiovi Funeral Home announced.

On July 7, 36-year-old Domitila Rosales was walking on an Anderson Street sidewalk around 7:15 p.m. with her son Daniel Ortega, 5, and Matias Ortega in a stroller when they were hit by Ronald B. Rebernik, 62, of Raritan.

"Domitila pushed Daniel out of the way, but not far enough as he was still struck. Matias was dragged under the car, and the SUV continued until it struck a parked car," loved ones said in an online fundraiser created for the family.

Rebernik hit two parked vehicles, left the roadway and continued southbound on the sidewalk, where he struck the family, police said. Rebernik then continued driving southbound on the sidewalk after striking the family, and went back onto the road, where he hit two more parked vehicles on the northbound side of Anderson Street before stopping, police said.

The mother suffered serious injuries and Daniel suffered critical injuries. Both have been released from the hospital. The 1-year-old boy was later pronounced dead at the hospital, according to the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office.

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, and a disorderly person's offense of under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance.

Rebernik was also issued numerous motor vehicle summonses for DWI, DWI in a school zone, careless driving, reckless driving, and controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle.

To help the family cover funeral expenses, donations are being collected through GoFundMe with a goal of $50,000. More than $28,000 has already been raised.

Donations are also being collected at Vinnie's Pizza, 990 US Highway 202 South, Branchburg and Bongiovi Funeral Home, 416 Bell Ave., Raritan.

See Related: NJ Boy Celebrating 1st Birthday Hit, Killed In Alleged DWI Crash

Related: Baby Killed, Child And Mom Hurt In DWI Crash In Raritan

Related: Raritan Man Was Arrested For Drugs Hours Before Fatal DUI: Report

(Images via GoFundMe, a partner of Patch)

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