RAMAPO, NY — A 24-year-old woman from Middletown tragically lost her life on Sunday, June 15, 2025, following a single-vehicle crash on the southbound side of Interstate 87, near Exit 14A in the town of Ramapo, according to the New York State Police.

At approximately 3:25 p.m., troopers from the Tarrytown barracks responded to a report of a serious collision on the New York State Thruway. A preliminary investigation revealed that a 2016 Honda Civic, driven by Anysah P. Nelson, had been traveling southbound when, for unknown reasons, the driver lost control of the vehicle. The car left the roadway via the right shoulder and struck a tree.

Emergency medical personnel arrived quickly and provided life-saving efforts at the scene. Nelson was then transported to Nyack Hospital, where she was pronounced deceased shortly after arrival.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation, and no additional vehicles were reported to be involved. Authorities have not yet released details regarding possible contributing factors, such as weather, speed, or mechanical issues.

Anyone with information related to the crash is urged to contact the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation in Haverstraw at (845) 344-5300, and reference case number NY2500527508.

Photo by Rockland Video

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.