Erick Perez-Ramirez, 40, of Jackson, has been charged with two counts of Assault by Auto, in connection with an automobile crash that occurred in Toms River during the early morning hours of April 20.
At approximately 4:45 a.m. this past Saturday, Toms River police responded to the area of Bay Avenue and Ethan Court for a report of a serious motor vehicle crash. An initial investigation by responding Officers determined that a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado operated by Perez-Ramirez and containing front seat passenger Viviana Arciniegas-Diaz, 33, of Toms River, and rear seat passengers William Rubiano, 31, and Maria Vega-Diaz, 33, both of Toms River, was traveling eastbound on Bay Avenue when it failed to negotiate a right hand turn in the roadway. The Silverado then left the roadway and struck a tree.
As a result of the crash, Ms. Arciniegas and Ms. Vega-Diaz were transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune for treatment of their injuries. They are both listed in stable condition. Mr. Rubiano and Perez-Ramirez were uninjured and remained at the scene.
Responding Officers observed that Perez-Ramirez appeared to be intoxicated at the scene of the crash. Based upon those observations, Officers attempted to administer the standardized field sobriety tests (FSTs) to Perez-Ramirez. Perez-Ramirez was unable to successfully perform the FSTs; as such, he was charged with Driving Under the Influence and placed under arrest.
Perez-Ramirez was thereafter transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River, where a draw of his blood was obtained pursuant to a court-authorized warrant. The results of the blood draw remain pending. Perez-Ramirez was subsequently transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.