JACKSON TOWNSHIP, NJ – A Jackson woman accused of crossing into oncoming traffic and killing a Toms River couple in a violent head-on collision earlier this year is scheduled to face a municipal court judge next week.
Marilyn Reyes Perez, 30, was charged with reckless driving, unsafe lane change, failure to secure a child under 8, and careless driving, court records show. Her hearing is set for Thursday, December 11, at 9 a.m. in Jackson Township Municipal Court.
The charges stem from an April 10 crash on Toms River Road (County Road 571) near Lakehurst Avenue that claimed the lives of Randy and Elizabeth Rittenhouse, both residents of Toms River.
You can see the full police report here.
Investigators detail deadly collision
According to the Jackson Police Department, Officer Anthony Ringle, assigned to the Traffic Safety Bureau, was called to the crash scene around 2 p.m. after receiving word from Sgt. Falzarano of a serious head-on collision involving multiple victims. Upon arrival, Ringle and several other officers, including P.O. Lasko, P.O. Chesney, and P.O. Cilento, found two heavily damaged vehicles blocking both lanes of Toms River Road.
Investigators said a 2013 Ford Explorer, driven by Perez, was traveling southbound when it crossed over the double solid yellow line and entered the northbound lane, striking a 2011 Chevrolet HHR head-on. Police reported that Perez made no apparent effort to steer back into her lane before impact.
According to police, the vehicle was owned by Christian Luna, also of Jackson, but the owner was not present at the time of the crash.
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The Chevrolet HHR, driven by 62-year-old Randy Rittenhouse, was struck head-on, crushing the front of the vehicle. Rittenhouse was pronounced dead at the scene from severe injuries. His wife, 60-year-old Elizabeth Rittenhouse, who was seated in the front passenger seat, was rescued from the wreckage by emergency responders and rushed to Monmouth Medical Southern Campus, where she later died from her injuries.
Child in rear seat severely injured
Inside Perez’s SUV was her 4-year-old daughter, Amavi Luna, seated behind the driver in a booster seat. Police said the child was properly restrained but sustained serious injuries due to the force of the collision. She was airlifted to Jersey Shore Medical Center and underwent emergency surgery for severe facial trauma, a forehead degloving injury, a fractured right wrist, multiple broken fingers, and a 5 mm brain bleed.
Doctors described her condition as severe but stable following surgery.
Perez’s account of the crash
When interviewed by police at Jersey Shore Medical Center, Perez reportedly told investigators she had only minor facial cuts and a bruise to her left knee. She said she was driving south toward Toms River for her daughter’s doctor’s appointment when the crash occurred. According to her statement, she was singing with her daughter along to music on the radio and had no recollection of crossing the center line or seeing the other vehicle before impact.
Perez told officers the next thing she remembered was regaining consciousness in the ambulance while emergency personnel treated her daughter. Police said toxicology results were not immediately indicated in the report, and there was no mention of impairment at the time of the incident.
Ongoing legal proceedings
The Jackson Township Police Department’s Traffic Safety Bureau, along with the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, reviewed the crash investigation and issued the current motor vehicle summonses against Perez. Each of the four charges—reckless driving, unsafe lane change, failure to properly secure a child, and careless driving—remains active as of court filings reviewed this week.
If convicted, Perez could face significant fines, points on her driving record, license suspension, and potential further legal consequences depending on any additional findings.
Community reaction and next steps
The fatal collision drew widespread attention in the Toms River and Jackson communities, where residents described the stretch of Toms River Road as narrow and dangerous, particularly for drivers who drift across lanes. Police have since increased patrols in the area and issued safety reminders to local motorists about distracted driving and seatbelt laws.
Many residents also questioned why the identity of the driver was not made public after the crash.
Marilyn Reyes Perez is scheduled to appear in Jackson Township Municipal Court on Thursday, December 11, at 9 a.m.
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