Crime

Tragedy in Spring Valley: Four-Year-Old Killed, Three Others Injured in Suspected DWI Crash on Old Nyack Turnpike

Published

10 months ago

June 15, 2025

SPRING VALLEY, NY — A devastating crash in Village of Spring Valley has claimed the life of a four-year-old girl and left three others — including two young children — seriously injured after they were struck by a vehicle while walking on the sidewalk. The incident occurred on the evening of Friday, June 14, around 9:20 PM, near 142 Old Nyack Turnpike, as families were leaving a nearby park.

According to the Spring Valley Police Department, officers responded to a call reporting a pedestrian struck by a vehicle. Upon arrival, Ramapo Police and emergency medical personnel were already on the scene providing aid. The investigation determined that multiple pedestrians were struck on the sidewalk by a car that later became disabled nearby, with the driver still wedged inside the vehicle when authorities arrived.

Four victims — a two-year-old boy, a five-year-old boy, a 31-year-old man, and a four-year-old girl — were rushed to Westchester Medical Center with injuries ranging from minor to life-threatening. Tragically, despite emergency medical efforts, the four-year-old girl succumbed to her injuries several hours later. The Monsey Scoop has identified her as the daughter of Spring Valley Trustee Sruly Eisenbach.

The driver, identified as 41-year-old Axel Lopez-Santiago of Spring Valley, was also injured and transported to Good Samaritan Hospital. A preliminary investigation indicated that Lopez-Santiago was allegedly under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash.

Following the investigation, Lopez-Santiago was arrested and charged with the following:

Aggravated Vehicular Homicide (Penal Law 125.14(3)) — with a prior DWI conviction

Aggravated Vehicular Homicide (Penal Law 125.14(5)) — causing one death and serious injury to at least one other

Vehicular Assault in the First Degree (Penal Law 120.04(3))

Reckless Driving (VTL 1212)

Driving While Intoxicated (VTL 1192(3))

He was arraigned on Sunday, June 15 at 2:00 PM in Spring Valley Justice Court before Judge Mellion and held on $750,000 cash bail.

Photo by Ramapo Buffs.

Crime

Attempted Murder Arrest After Barbershop Shooting in Ramapo; Suspect in Custody

Published

3 days ago

April 18, 2026

Rockland Report Admin

Police in Ramapo have arrested a suspect in connection with a late-night shooting that left a man seriously injured.

According to the Ramapo Police Department, officers responded around 10:30 p.m. on April 17, 2026, to reports of gunfire at Veloz Barbershop. When officers arrived, they found a 59-year-old man suffering from a gunshot wound to the abdomen.

Emergency responders from Rockland Paramedics and Spring Hill Ambulance treated the victim at the scene before transporting him to Westchester Medical Center. Officials said he is currently listed in stable condition.

Authorities said the suspect fled the scene in a vehicle but was later located by a patrol unit from the Rockland County Sheriff’s Office near 150 West Eckerson Road. Responding Ramapo officers took the 50-year-old man into custody without incident.

The Spring Valley Police Department and New York State Police assisted at the scene. Investigators later recovered both the vehicle believed to have been used in the incident and the firearm at a separate location, with help from the Rockland County Sheriff’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

The suspect has been charged with attempted murder in the second degree, assault in the first degree, reckless endangerment in the first degree, and criminal use of a firearm. He was arraigned before Judge Silva, who set bail at $750,000 cash, $900,000 bond, or $1,000,000 partially secured bond. The defendant was remanded to the Rockland County Jail pending a future court appearance.

Police said the shooting appears to be an isolated incident and that there is no ongoing threat to the public.

Crime

Spring Valley Double Murder Arrest: Two Charged in 2025 Dutch Lane Shooting

Published

3 days ago

April 18, 2026

Rockland Report Admin

On September 20, 2025, around 5:12 PM, officers from the Spring Valley Police Department responded to reports of gunfire near 2 Dutch Lane. They found a 20-year-old man with a gunshot wound and began CPR until EMS arrived. The victim was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

After several months of investigation, on April 16, 2026, police arrested two suspects:

Doodly Metellus, 21, of Ramapo
Smay Dornaison, 20, of Spring Valley

Metellus was found with a loaded firearm at the time of his arrest. He faces charges of second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon. Dornaison is also charged with second-degree murder.

Both were arraigned in Spring Valley Justice Court and are being held at the Rockland County Jail.

Authorities emphasize that the charges are accusations, and both defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Anyone with information is asked to contact the police at 845-356-7400.