Perth Amboy Driver Charged with Passenger Deaths

A 22-year-old Perth Amboy man has been arrested and charged with causing a motor vehicle crash that killed two of his passengers early Sunday morning on Industrial Road.

Ricky A. Olivares was charged with two counts of aggravated manslaughter after he lost control of his 2001 Acura and crashed on Industrial Road in Perth Amboy shortly before 4:24 am on December 16, according to Perth Amboy Police and the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office.

The two passengers, identified as Johanna Cruz, 28, and Aramis Olivares, 20, the brother of the driver, were pronounced dead at scene a little over an hour after the crash. Cruz was a front seat passenger, while the younger Olivares was riding in the back of the car, police said. 

A 21-year-old man, who was also a passenger in the car, survived the crash. He was taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick where he was being treated. The condition of the victim, whose identity was not released, was not available. 

An investigation into the accident showed Olivares, who was driving on Industrial Road near the intersection with Florida Grove Road, lost control of his vehicle and hit a utility pole, three trees, and a chain-link fence.

Olivares also was taken to the hospital and treated for his injuries.  He remains in custody in lieu of $1 million bail, which was set by Superior Court Judge Dennis Nieves.

The charges against Oliveres were filed during an investigation by Perth Amboy Police Detective Ralph Pineiro and Investigator Scott Crocco of the Prosecutor’s Office.

The investigation is continuing. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Pineiro at 732-324- 3814, or Investigator Crocco at 732-745-4471.

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