Man Gets 15 Years In Fatal DUI Crash Of 1-Year-Old Raritan Baby

RARITAN, NJ — A Raritan man was sentenced to 15 years in New Jersey State Prison for driving under the influence and killing a 1-year-old baby after his car jumped a curb and struck a mom and her two young children in 2018, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson announced.

Ronald B. Rebernik, 62, of Second Street, Raritan was sentenced on charges of first-degree vehicular homicide and second-degree assault by auto, all of which occurred within 1,000 feet of St. Ann’s Elementary School property in the borough.

The sentencing took place after a negotiated plea agreement, where Rebernik pled guilty to the charge and other possessory controlled dangerous substance offenses, Robertson said.

The tragic crash occurred on July 7, 2018 around 7:15 p.m. when Rebernik, who was under the influence of heroin, 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, Domitila Rosales, 36, who was walking with her two sons, Daniel Ortega, 5, and Matias Ortega in a stroller. The family was walking to the park to celebrate Matias Ortega's first birthday.

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.

Rosales and he two sons were treated at the scene by first responders and transported to area hospitals by Medics and Medevac for serious injuries. Matias Ortega later died from his injuries.

During Rebernik's first court appearance it was discovered that he was arrested hours earlier on July 7, 2018 before the deadly crash and found to have eight glassine folds of heroin and two knotted plastic bags of crack cocaine. He was released on a summons before he allegedly ran over the borough family, killing the 1-year-old baby while driving under the influence.

• See Related: Video Shows NJ Man Busted For Drugs Just Before Fatal DUI Crash
• Related: Raritan Man Was Arrested For Drugs Hours Before Fatal DUI: Report
• Related: Arrangements Set For Raritan Baby Who Was Killed On 1st Birthday
• Related: NJ Boy Celebrating 1st Birthday Hit, Killed In Alleged DWI Crash
• Related: Baby Killed, Child And Mom Hurt In Wrong-Way DWI Crash In Raritan

(Left image via GoFundMe, a promotional partner of Patch: Matias Ortega. Right image via Somerset County Prosecutor's Office: Ronald B. Rebernik, 62, of Second Street, Raritan Borough)

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