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

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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

Two Arrested in Orangetown Package Scam Involving $43K in Fraud Losses

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ORANGETOWN, N.Y. — Detectives with the Orangetown Police Department arrested two men after intercepting a suspected fraud scheme that funneled tens of thousands of dollars in cash to a vacant residence in Tappan, authorities said.

Police said the investigation began on April 28, 2026, when a man from Utah reported that his wife had been scammed out of $6,700 through a bank account scheme. Authorities determined the money had been sent via a package delivery service to an unoccupied home in the Tappan section of Town of Orangetown.

Detectives conducting surveillance observed two individuals retrieve three packages from the residence before attempting to leave the area. Officers stopped the pair and recovered the parcels, which investigators say were tied to three separate fraud cases across the country.

According to police:

  • One package contained $6,700 linked to a bank scam involving a victim in Utah
  • A second package contained $12,500 connected to a computer virus scam targeting a victim in Illinois
  • A third package contained $24,500 associated with an FBI impersonation and identity theft scam involving a victim in Colorado

Authorities identified the suspects as Tian Quan Xie, 20, of Brooklyn, and Wei Ping Sun, 39, of Queens. Both were charged with third-degree grand larceny and fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, each classified as felonies under New York law.

The suspects were arraigned in Orangetown Justice Court and released pending a return court date of May 18, 2026.

The Orangetown Police Department’s Detective Bureau credited the Rockland County Intelligence Unit for its assistance in the investigation.

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Crime

Article Update : Spring Valley Man Charged After Haverstraw Officer Struck by Vehicle

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Authorities have identified and charged a suspect in connection with an incident in which a police officer was struck by a vehicle during a traffic stop in the Village of Haverstraw.

According to the Town of Haverstraw Police Department, Peter Theus, 34, of Spring Valley, has been charged with second-degree assault, third-degree unlawful fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle, and second-degree obstructing governmental administration.

Police said Theus was arraigned in the Village of Haverstraw Justice Court and remanded to the Rockland County Correctional Facility in lieu of bail set at $100,000 cash, $200,000 bond, or $300,000 partially secured bond.

The charges stem from a traffic stop incident in which an officer was struck by a fleeing vehicle. The injured officer was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Officials emphasized that the charges are accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

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