FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 5, 2026
MEDIA CONTACT: Emily Klinkenborg Public Relations Coordinator
O: 845.638.5080 | C: 845.825-5650
On June 14, 2025, the defendant was driving his motor vehicle recklessly and at a high rate of speed as he traveled east on Old Nyack Turnpike, in Spring Valley. Defendant’s vehicle then 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. In this area, the vehicle then struck at least three individuals before crashing into a tree. Upon arrival of law enforcement, the defendant was observed behind the wheel of the vehicle and the sole occupant of the car.
All the victims were taken to local hospitals. One victim, a four-year-old female died from her injuries. Two of the other victims, a 31-year-old male and a five-year-old male, sustained serious physical injuries. The investigation revealed that the defendant was intoxicated from his consumption of alcoholic beverages at the time of the fatal collision.
“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,” said District Attorney Walsh. “Our hearts remain with the victim’s family and all those who were injured.”
The District Attorney’s Office recommended the maximum sentence on every count of the indictment as follows: 8 1/3 to 25 years in prison on the Aggravated Vehicular Homicide counts (concurrent with each other, consecutive to the Assault in the Second Degree Counts, and concurrent with all other counts); 5 to 15 years in prison on the Manslaughter in the Second Degree count (concurrent with all other counts); 7 years in prison on the Assault in the Second Degree counts consecutive with each other and one of the Aggravated Vehicular Homicide counts, concurrent with all other counts); 1 1/3 to 4 years in prison on the Driving While Intoxicated as a Felony count (concurrent with all other counts) and 1 year in jail on the Reckless Driving count (concurrent with all other counts).
Hon. Kevin F. Russo sentenced the defendant 4 to 12 years in prison on each count of Aggravated Vehicular Homicide and Manslaughter in the Second Degree (to run concurrent to each other and all other charges); 6 years in prison on each count of Assault in the Second Degree (to run consecutive with each other, but concurrent with all other charges); 1 1/3 to 4 years in prison on Driving While Intoxicated as a Felony (to run concurrent with all other charges); and 364 days in jail on the Reckless Driving charge (to run concurrent with all other charges).
Lopez-Santiago was previously convicted of Driving While Intoxicated in the Village of Spring Valley Justice Court in Rockland County on August 7, 2018.
The investigation was conducted by the Spring Valley Police Department, with the assistance of officers from Ramapo Police Department and the Rockland County Sheriff’s Office.
The case was prosecuted by Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Dominic Crispino and Supervising Assistant District Attorney 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.”
Respectfully,
Emily Klinkenborg
Coordinator of Public Relations
Rockland County District Attorney’s Office
One South Main Street
New City, New York 10956
O: (845) 638-5080
C: (845) 825-5650