Driver In DWI Crash That Killed 4-Year-Old Girl On Sidewalk Gets Prison

SPRING VALLEY, NY — A drunken driver who destroyed a family has learned his fate.

District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II announced on Thursday that 41-year-old Axel I. Lopez-Santiago, of Spring Valley, was sentenced to a total of 12 years in prison after pleading guilty to the entire eight-count indictment.

SEE ALSO:

• After 4-Year-Old Girl Mowed Down, DA Announces Aggravated Vehicular Homicide Indictment
• Spring Valley, N.Y. Man Arraigned For Crash That Killed 4-Year-Old Girl On Sidewalk With Family
• Driver Pleads Guilty In DWI Crash That Killed Child In Spring Valley: DA

On June 14, 2025, Lopez-Santiago was driving his vehicle recklessly while speeding, as he traveled east on Old Nyack Turnpike in Spring Valley. His vehicle suddenly veered across the double yellow line and into the opposite lane of travel, continuing off the road and onto the pedestrian sidewalk as he approached the entrance to Kennedy Park, according to police. The vehicle struck at least three pedestrians before crashing into a tree.

The victims were rushed to area hospitals. A 4-year-old girl died from her injuries. Two of the other victims, a 31-year-old man and a five-year-old boy, were seriously injured.

Investigators say Lopez-Santiago had been drinking and was intoxicated at the time of the crash.

"Today's sentence cannot undo the unimaginable pain caused by the defendant’s reckless actions, nor can it bring back a four-year old child whose life was tragically cut short, but I hope that it brings some measure of justice and closure," DA Walsh said. "Our hearts remain with the victim's family and all those who were injured."

The judge sentenced Lopez-Santiago to 4 to 12 years in prison on each count of aggravated vehicular homicide and second-degree manslaughter (to run concurrent to each other and all other charges); 6 years in prison on each count of second-degree assault (to run consecutive with each other, but concurrent with all other charges); 1 1/3 to 4 years in prison on felony driving while intoxicated (to run concurrent with all other charges); and 364 days in jail on the reckless driving charge (to run concurrent with all other charges).

The DA's Office noted that it recommended the maximum sentence on every count of the indictment.

Lopez-Santiago was previously convicted of driving while intoxicated in the Village of Spring Valley Justice Court on August 7, 2018, according to the DA.

The investigation was conducted by the Spring Valley Police Department, with the assistance of officers from the Ramapo Police Department and the Rockland County Sheriff's Office.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy Chief Assistant DA Dominic Crispino and Supervising Assistant DA Sharleen Bailon.

"I want to commend the Spring Valley Police Department for their swift and thorough investigation in this tragic case, as well as Deputy Chief ADA Dominic Crispino and Supervising ADA Sharleen Bailon for their steadfast commitment to this prosecution," DA Walsh said.