Controversial Comments on Fatal Crash by a Journalist
Dana Diliappo, a senior reporter for New Jersey Monitor, suggested that illegal immigrants generally had clean driving records before the accident that led to the tragic deaths of a New Jersey mother and her 11-year-old daughter. This claim came to light through screenshots shared by the Daily Caller.
Authorities are pursuing two serious charges—vehicular homicide and assault—related to the crash that occurred on July 26, which involved Luna Perez. This incident also injured another child, according to the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS). A report from the New Jersey Monitor indicated that Luna Perez was driving against traffic at the time.
Diliappo referred to Luna Perez as “undocumented immigrants” in subsequently deleted posts on social media, alleging that he is at the center of an ongoing political confrontation between President Donald Trump and New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy.
Diliappo claimed that despite previous DUI arrests, Luna Perez had “mainly a clean driving record.” It appears her tweet was taken down after a response from an official DHS account.
In reaction to the journalist’s comments, one individual summarized the situation succinctly: “This is a clinically insane take. A clean driving record? This individual had two prior DUIs and yet killed an innocent mother and an 11-year-old child. Another child is now hospitalized.” Additionally, the post highlighted the adverse effects of Governor Murphy’s “sanctuary policies.”
Attorneys for Luna Perez requested delays in his detention hearings before Superior Court Judge Guy P. Ryan, citing immigration-related issues. The judge ultimately rescheduled the hearing for Monday. According to New Jersey’s bail reform laws, the prosecution must demonstrate a public safety risk to keep Luna Perez detained before his trial.
Previously, another judge had released Luna Perez on July 31 but with house arrest while awaiting trial. Following new charges filed by Ocean County prosecutors, a second detention hearing has been arranged. According to the DHS, Luna Perez had been arrested for domestic violence in 2023 and had been involved in two traffic incidents in 2025. The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency has since filed detainer requests regarding the allegations of driving under the influence.
Attempts to reach Diliappo for comments were made.
