An illegal immigrant from Mexico is accused of causing a deadly head-on crash that killed a New Jersey mother and her 11-year-old daughter, despite a history of drunk driving and violent behavior.
Raul Luna-Perez, 43, has been living illegally in Red Bank, New Jersey, since early 2023, according to federal sources. Authorities say he was behind the wheel of a speeding Dodge Durango when it crossed into oncoming traffic on July 26 and struck a Nissan Sentra head-on in Lakewood.
Two Lives Lost
Maria Pleitez, 42, was killed instantly. Her youngest daughter, Dayanara Cortes, 11, died shortly after being transported to a nearby hospital. Another 11-year-old girl in the back seat was critically injured but has since been upgraded to stable condition.
Luna-Perez and two adult passengers suffered minor injuries and were released from medical care.
Blood Draw Ordered, Homicide Charges Filed
Police said Luna-Perez showed signs of intoxication at the crash scene. Blood was drawn at the hospital, and he was later charged with two counts of vehicular homicide and one count of assault by auto. More charges may follow pending toxicology results.
He is being held at the Ocean County Jail under an active ICE detainer.
A Long Rap Sheet, No Deportation
Records show Luna-Perez has a long history of criminal behavior:
-
2008: Arrested for disorderly conduct
-
January 2, 2023: Arrested for assault
-
January 2023: Caught leaving the scene of an accident; fined $970
-
June 2023: Arrested for domestic violence
-
March 20, 2024: Arrested for DUI
-
April 17, 2024: Arrested again for DUI
Despite this record, Luna-Perez remained free in New Jersey.
Federal officials blame the state’s sanctuary policies. “Governor Murphy and his sanctuary policies released this serial criminal into New Jersey communities,” said DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “Now, this innocent family is shattered by their failed leadership.”
“President Trump and Secretary Noem will continue to do everything in their power to remove these criminal illegal aliens before they destroy more lives,” she added.
Victim Remembered
Pleitez immigrated from El Salvador and worked hard to support her children. A GoFundMe campaign is raising money to send her and her daughter’s bodies back to El Salvador for burial. The fundraiser has collected nearly $30,000.
“My aunt was a wonderful woman who worked hard every day to take care of her two daughters,” wrote her niece, Maria Celina Aguilar.
Pleitez is survived by her 16-year-old daughter.
Sanctuary State Under Fire
Red Bank is not officially a sanctuary city but adopted a 2017 resolution supporting migrants. New Jersey has operated as a sanctuary state since 2018 under Gov. Phil Murphy, when then-Attorney General Gurbir Grewal implemented the Immigrant Trust Directive.
The policy restricts law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities or questioning suspects about immigration status—policies critics say put citizens at risk.
Republicans have repeatedly urged Gov. Murphy to reconsider the sanctuary classification, warning it protects dangerous individuals like Luna-Perez from deportation.
