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

RARITAN, NJ — A Raritan man who was charged with killing a 1-year-old baby while driving under the influence was found to have been arrested hours earlier for drug possession, according to mycentraljersey.com.

During the first court appearance on Tuesday for Ronald B. Rebernik, 62, of Second Street, it was discovered that he was arrested on July 7 and found to have eight glassine folds of heroin and two knotted plastic bags of crack cocaine, according to Somerset County Assistant Prosecutor Natacha Despinos-Peavey via mycentraljersey.com.

"The officers appropriately released him and determined that he was not under the influence," Despinos-Peavey told Somerset County Superior Court Judge Anthony Picheca Jr. Tuesday during Rebernik's detention hearing via mycentraljersey.com.

Rebernik was released on summonses and later that day at around 7:15 p.m. he jumped the curb and hit the borough family who were walking to the park to celebrate Matias Ortega's first birthday.

During his court appearance Tuesday, Picheca Jr. remanded Rebernik to jail until his trial.

The fatal crash:

Rebernik 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 36-year-old Domitila Rosales who was walking on the sidewalk with her son Daniel Ortega, 5, and Matias in a stroller.

"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 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.

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.

Matias was killed as a result of the crash. His mother suffered serious injuries and Daniel suffered critical injuries. Both have since been released from the hospital.

Fundraiser and funeral arrangements:

To help the family cover funeral expenses, donations are being collected through GoFundMe with a goal of $50,000. More than $27,000 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.

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.

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

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

See Related: Arrangements Set For Raritan Baby Who Was Killed On 1st Birthday

(Image via Somerset County Prosecutor's Office: Ronald B. Rebernik, 62, of Second Street, Raritan Borough)

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