A deadly crash that killed a mother and her young daughter in Lakewood has ignited political debate across New Jersey, with Asm. Gerry Scharfenberger (R-Middletown) saying the state’s sanctuary policies are directly responsible for the tragedy.
Calling the deaths of 42-year-old Maria Pleitez and her 11-year-old daughter Dayanara Cortes “100% preventable,” Scharfenberger said the suspect, Raul Luna-Perez, an illegal alien with a history of DUIs and domestic violence, should have been deported after his first arrest in Red Bank, Monmouth County.
“It is a tragedy beyond words made that much more devastating by the fact that it was 100% preventable,” Scharfenberger told the Monmouth Times. “If we had a rational immigration policy in New Jersey, one that didn’t reward the actions of criminal illegal aliens with catch and release treatment and no follow up, these two precious lives would not have been lost. Luna-Perez should have been deported with the first transgression—not released to repeat his criminal actions over and over again.”
On July 26, Luna-Perez allegedly drove drunk and crashed head-on into a Nissan Sentra in Lakewood, killing Pleitez and her daughter as they were on their way to get milkshakes.
A second 11-year-old girl was critically injured but is now recovering.
Luna-Perez, who sustained only minor injuries, was arrested and charged with two counts of vehicular homicide and one count of assault.
Federal officials and locals are outraged, noting that Luna-Perez had previously been arrested twice for DUI and once for domestic violence, all within the past two years, but was never deported or even turned over to ICE.
Scharfenberger, whose district includes Red Bank, where Luna-Perez was repeatedly arrested and released, said the blame lies squarely with New Jersey’s sanctuary policies.
“It is a fact that cities/states that have foolishly declared themselves ‘sanctuaries’ automatically become magnets for illegal aliens—all of whom are totally unvetted and many who have criminal backgrounds or engage in criminal activity once in the country,” he said.
ICE lodged a detainer against Luna-Perez on July 28 and has since begun removal proceedings.
The agency said the crash could have been avoided if cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration officers had been allowed.
“This is not the fault of law enforcement—their hands are equally tied by bad policies that prohibits cooperation between different branches of law enforcement and restricts actions that can be taken by local police when dealing with individuals here illegally,” Scharfenberger said.
The tragedy has prompted renewed calls to dismantle New Jersey’s sanctuary framework, which was solidified by Governor Phil Murphy’s Immigrant Trust Directive. That policy restricts local law enforcement from honoring ICE detainers or sharing information with federal immigration authorities.
“Addressing this would need an holistic approach that would encompass the issue of illegal immigration as a whole,” Scharfenberger said. “First and foremost would be to rescind the Governor’s declaration of New Jersey as a ‘sanctuary state.’ This became the cornerstone of his campaign and has resulted in enormous costs to the taxpayers in every way imaginable. Next, repeal the Immigrant Trust Directive and all similar legislation that impedes law enforcement from communicating with other agencies and pursuing enforcement of laws by all individuals. Finally, enforce restrictions and access to taxpayer funded programs for those in the country illegally.”
Federal officials echoed Scharfenberger’s frustration.
Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin blamed the Murphy administration for allowing a “serial criminal” to remain free.
“Governor Murphy and his sanctuary policies released this serial criminal into New Jersey communities,” McLaughlin said in a press release. “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.”
More than 150 mourners gathered for a wake at Lakewood Funeral Home in Howell, where Pleitez and Dayanara were remembered as joyful, loving and hardworking.
Pleitez, an immigrant from El Salvador, was raising her daughters alone and had just taken a second job to support them.
“Words fall short in expressing the sorrow and outrage I feel for your loss,” Scharfenberger said. “Rest assured, there are those of us in elected office who do care about this tragedy and will do everything humanly possible to end the chaos that has resulted in the loss of your precious loved ones and many others across the country.”
Her niece, Maria Celina Aguilar, launched a GoFundMe campaign that has since raised over $30,000 to support funeral expenses and repatriate their bodies to El Salvador.
“When criminal illegal aliens are not apprehended, the very communities where they live are often those most victimized by their actions,” Scharfenberger said. “That is the greatest threat to community trust. There should be no equivocation in enforcing the law—the only individuals who have anything to fear are those breaking our laws and threatening law-abiding citizens with criminal activity.”
Luna-Perez now awaits a detention hearing at Ocean County Jail.
For Scharfenberger, the solution is clear.
“The worst part of this whole tragic event is that it was totally preventable,” Scharfenberger said. “Not only was Raul Luna-Perez in our country illegally, but he was arrested multiple times and released back into the community to wreak havoc on our streets. Only a complete reversal of the ‘kid gloves’ treatment of illegal immigration by the current administration will ensure the safety and security of all New Jersey Citizens.”
Maria Pleitez, her 11-year-old daughter Dayanara Cortes, who tragically died in a Lakewood crash, and her other daughter who was critically injured but has since stabilized. (GoFundMe)
