NJ Man Pleads Guilty To Charges In Deadly Crash That Killed 2

LAKEWOOD, NJ —A New Jersey man pleaded guilty to charges in connection to a deadly crash last year.

Raul Luna-Perez, 43, pleaded guilty to assault by auto and aggravated manslaughter, on Monday, June 15, prosecutors said.

On July 26, 2025, police responded to the scene of the crash at the intersection of Cross Street and Hearthstone Drive.

According to prosecutors, a Dodge Durango operated by Luna-Perez crossed into an oncoming lane of traffic and collided with a Nissan Sentra.

Maria Pleitez, 42, and two 11-year-old girls were inside the Sentra.

Pleitez was pronounced dead at the scene.

One of the 11-year-old girls was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Luna-Perez is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 28.