Maria Pleitez,Dayanara Cortes Obituary, Death; – An 11-year-old girl and her mother tragically lost their lives in a head-on collision late Saturday night, leading to criminal charges against a driver.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer reported that a Dodge Durango traveling east on Cross Street near Hearthstone Drive veered into the opposite lane and collided with a Nissan Sentra at 11:20 p.m. The female driver of the Sentra was declared dead at the scene.
Her 11-year-old daughter, who was seated in the passenger seat, was transported to Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus in Lakewood, where she subsequently passed away. Another 11-year-old girl in the vehicle was reported to be in serious but stable condition as of Sunday. Billhimer did not reveal the identities of the individuals in the Sentra.
A GoFundMe campaign established to assist with funeral costs and the expenses of repatriating their bodies to El Salvador identified the driver as Maria Pleitez and her daughter Dayanara Cortes. The campaign is currently accepting donations for the foundation, as stated by Meyer.
The other driver, Raul Luna-Perez, 43, from Red Bank, has been charged with two counts of vehicular homicide and assault by auto, and he is currently detained at the Ocean County Jail. Billhimer indicated that first responders noted signs of impairment in Luna-Perez.
A blood sample was collected under a court-authorized warrant, and the results are still pending. The condition of the two passengers in Luna-Perez’s pickup truck has not been disclosed.
The Lakewood Police Foundation is requesting monetary donations to provide basic necessities, counseling, and educational support for Pleitez’s surviving 16-year-old daughter.
“The foundation and its members fully support the family who suffered the loss of both mother and daughter in this tragic incident,” Lakewood Police Chief Greg Meyer communicated to New Jersey 101.5 via email. “Our school resource supervisor has maintained close contact with the 16-year-old and is collaborating with family members.
