FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP, NJ (Somerset County) – Two Middlesex County residents have been charged in connection with a fatal hit-and-run crash involving a pedestrian that occurred in February in Franklin Township, according to Acting Somerset County Prosecutor Annmarie Taggart.
On Tuesday, February 22, at around 8:29 p.m., police responded to a 9-1-1 call of a female pedestrian fatally struck by a vehicle while crossing Somerset Street near High Street, Taggart said.
The driver of the vehicle, who was later identified as Raulito Peralta, 22, of Highland Park, was heading southbound on Somerset Street and then fled the scene after striking the victim. The victim, who was identified as Treasa M. Daye-Fennie of New Brunswick, was subsequently pronounced dead at the scene by the New Jersey Regional Medical Examiner’s Office, Taggart said.
The Somerset County Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Team (C.A.R.T) responded to the scene to investigate along with members of the Frankin Township Police Department Traffic Safety Bureau and Detective Bureau, along with detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit.
On Tuesday, April 19, as a result of this investigation Raulito Peralta and Estrella Caballero-Cruz, 21, of Highland Park were both arrested without incident, Taggart said.
Raulito Peralta was charged with second-degree leaving the scene of a fatal motor vehicle accident, third-degree causing death or injury while driving suspended or unlicensed, and third-degree hindering. He was lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing.
Caballero-Cruz was arrested without incident and charged with fourth-degree false police report. She was released pending a court appearance.
Anyone with information relating to this fatal hit and run to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit at 908-231-7100 or the Franklin Township Police Department at 732-873-5533 or via the STOPit app. The STOPit app allows citizens to provide anonymous reports including videos and photos. STOPit can be downloaded to your smart phone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: SOMERSETNJ. Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.
