In a press release issued by the Spring Valley Police Department, authorities announced the arrest and arraignment of 41-year-old Axel Lopez-Santiago of Spring Valley, following a deadly pedestrian crash that claimed the life of a 4-year-old girl and injured three others.
Lopez-Santiago was charged with multiple serious offenses, including Aggravated Vehicular Homicide with a Previous DWI Conviction (PL 125.14 [3]), Aggravated Vehicular Homicide Causing Death and Serious Physical Injury (PL 125.14 [5]), First-Degree Vehicular Assault (PL 120.04 [3]), Reckless Driving (VTL 1212), and Driving While Intoxicated (VTL 1192 [3]). He was arraigned on Sunday, June 15, at 2:00 p.m. in Spring Valley Justice Court before Judge Mellion and remanded on $750,000 cash bail.
The charges stem from a tragic incident on Saturday night, June 14, at approximately 9:20 p.m., when Lopez-Santiago allegedly struck multiple pedestrians with his vehicle while they were walking on the sidewalk near 142 Old Nyack Turnpike. The victims had been exiting a nearby park at the time of the crash. Responding officers arrived to find Ramapo Police and emergency personnel already tending to the scene. The vehicle remained at the location, disabled, with the suspect trapped inside.
Four victims were transported to Westchester Medical Center with varying injuries: a 2-year-old boy with physical injuries, a 5-year-old boy with serious injuries, a 31-year-old man in critical condition, and a 4-year-old girl who suffered life-threatening injuries and tragically passed away several hours later despite extensive life-saving efforts.
Lopez-Santiago was also injured in the crash and transported to Good Samaritan Hospital. The investigation quickly revealed signs of alcohol impairment, leading to his arrest.
The Spring Valley Police Department thanked the Ramapo Police Department, New York State Police, Rockland County Sheriff’s Office, Rockland County District Attorney’s Office, Hatzolah EMS, Spring Hill and Faist Ambulance, Rockland County Paramedics, Spring Valley Fire Department, and Chaverim of Rockland for their rapid response and assistance in this ongoing investigation.
What is his immigration status?
U.S. citizen by birth