A devastating crash in Lakewood, New Jersey, has left a community mourning and a Mexican national facing serious charges. Raul Luna-Perez, 43, allegedly drove under the influence, causing a head-on collision that killed a mother and her young daughter. This tragedy has reignited debates over sanctuary policies and public safety.
Fox News reported that on July 26, Luna-Perez, an unauthorized migrant with a history of DUI and domestic violence arrests, drove a Dodge Durango that crossed into oncoming traffic, striking a Nissan Sentra.
The collision claimed the lives of the Sentra’s driver, a mother, and her 11-year-old daughter, while leaving another child seriously injured. This incident underscores the consequences of unchecked criminal behavior.
Just before 11:30 p.m., the fatal crash unfolded when Luna-Perez’s vehicle veered into the wrong lane. The mother was pronounced dead at the scene, and her daughter succumbed to injuries at Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus. A second 11-year-old girl in the Sentra remains in serious but stable condition.
Luna-Perez’s two passengers in the Durango sustained minor injuries and were released after hospital treatment.
First responders noted signs of impairment in Luna-Perez, prompting a court-authorized blood draw to confirm suspicions. His prior arrests for DUI in March and April 2025 and domestic violence in June 2023 paint a troubling picture.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) swiftly lodged a detainer against Luna-Perez, who entered the U.S. illegally on an unknown date. The agency has initiated removal proceedings while he remains in custody. Yet, the question lingers: why was someone with such a record free to roam?
Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin didn’t mince words, stating, “Governor Murphy and his sanctuary policies released this serial criminal into New Jersey communities.”
Her critique points to a system that prioritizes ideology over accountability, allowing repeat offenders to slip through the cracks. New Jersey’s sanctuary policies, she argues, enabled this tragedy.
Mahlen Gunaratna, spokesman for Governor Phil Murphy, countered, “The Governor believes that Mr. Luna-Perez, who has been arrested multiple times for DUI and domestic violence, should not have been allowed behind the wheel.”
This admission rings hollow when policies prevent proactive deportation. It’s a classic case of closing the barn door after the horse has bolted.
McLaughlin doubled down, asserting, “President Trump and Secretary Noem will continue to do everything in their power to remove these criminal illegal aliens.” Her words resonate with those frustrated by lax enforcement, but they also highlight a polarized debate. Sanctuary policies, meant to protect, often shield the wrong people.
The crash’s aftermath has left Lakewood reeling, with a mother and daughter gone forever. The surviving 11-year-old girl faces a long recovery, both physically and emotionally. This isn’t just a statistic—it’s a family shattered by preventable loss.
Luna-Perez now faces two counts of vehicular homicide and assault by auto. These charges reflect the gravity of his alleged actions, but they do little to console a grieving community. Justice, while necessary, can’t undo the damage.
ICE’s detainer ensures Luna-Perez won’t slip away easily, but the broader issue remains. New Jersey’s sanctuary policies, criticized by DHS, prioritize political posturing over public safety. How many more tragedies will it take to rethink this approach?
Governor Murphy’s office claims Luna-Perez “should have already been deported” due to his criminal history. Yet, their policies enabled his presence, creating a contradiction that’s hard to ignore. It’s a bitter pill for those who value both compassion and accountability.
The Lakewood crash isn’t just a local story—it’s a national flashpoint. Sanctuary policies, championed as humane, often protect individuals who pose clear risks. This incident fuels calls for stricter immigration enforcement and smarter criminal justice reforms.
While empathy for migrants is understandable, public safety must come first. Luna-Perez’s rap sheet—DUI arrests, domestic violence—should have triggered red flags long before July 26. Instead, progressive agendas left a community vulnerable.
