By: Richard L. Smith
A 19-year-old Long Branch woman has been charged in connection with a fatal hit-and-run crash that claimed the life of a Monmouth County man earlier this month, according to Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago.
Jennifer Perez-Martinez has been charged with first-degree vehicular homicide and second-degree leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death.
According to authorities, members of the Long Branch Police Department responded at approximately 8:46 p.m. on May 1 to the area of 258 Broadway following reports of a vehicle striking a pedestrian.
An investigation conducted by the Long Branch Police Department, the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Bureau Fatal Motor Vehicle Accident Unit, and the Monmouth County Serious Collision Analysis Response Team determined that Perez-Martinez was allegedly operating a vehicle while impaired in a designated school zone when she struck a man who was attempting to enter his parked vehicle on Broadway.
Investigators further allege that Perez-Martinez left the scene following the collision.
The victim, identified as 57-year-old Armindo A. Vieira of West Long Branch, was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 9:38 p.m.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Caitlin J. Sidley of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Bureau.