RARITAN BOROUGH, N.J. – Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson, Chief of County Detectives John W. Fodor, and Raritan Borough Chief of Police Raymond Nolte announced that on Saturday, July 7, 2018 at approximately 7:18 p.m., the Raritan Borough Police Department responded to the area of Anderson Street and Second Street on a report of a motor vehicle crash involving multiple pedestrians.
Prosecutor Robertson stated that responding Raritan Borough Police Officers found that a motor vehicle had struck several parked vehicles and three pedestrians who were walking on the sidewalk. Injuries to the pedestrians were deemed to be life threatening. Pedestrians were treated at the scene by first responders and were transported to area hospitals by Medics and Medevac.
The Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Collision Analysis Reconstruction Team (CART) responded to the scene to assist with the investigation. The initial investigation revealed that Ronald B. Rebernik, age 62, of Second Street, Raritan Borough, N.J. was operating his 2004 Ford Escape southbound on Anderson Street when he crossed to the northbound side, struck two parked vehicles, left the roadway and continued southbound on the sidewalk, where he then struck three pedestrians. Defendant Rebernik continued southbound on the sidewalk after striking the pedestrians, and reentered the roadway striking two more parked vehicles on the northbound side of Anderson Street before becoming disabled.
Investigators have released the victim’s ages as a 36 year old Raritan Borough female resident, who was walking northbound on the sidewalk with her son, age five (5), while pushing her one (1) year old son in a stroller. All of the victims were transported to area hospitals. The 36 year old female suffered serious injuries, the five year old suffered critical injuries, both remain hospitalized. The one year old victim was medevac’d from the scene and subsequently was pronounced deceased at the hospital.
Prosecutor Robertson stated that defendant Rebernik was arrested and charged with second degree Vehicular Homicide, two (2) counts of third degree Assault by Auto, third degree Possession of CDS, and a disorderly person’s offense of Under the Influence of CDS. Defendant Rebernik was also issued numerous motor vehicle summonses for DWI, DWI in a School Zone, Careless Driving, Reckless Driving, and CDS in a Motor Vehicle. Defendant Rebernik was transported to an area hospital where he remains under police guard. Upon release defendant Rebernik will be transported to the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing.
Prosecutor Robertson, Chief Fodor, and Chief Nolte are asking that anyone who may have witnessed this accident to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office at (908) 231-7100 or the Raritan Borough Police Department at (908) 725-6700.