Suspect In Old Nyack Turnpike Fatal Accident Indicted On DWI Charges

By Idy Perl

Today, the Grand Jury of Rockland County voted to indict Axel I. Lopez-Santiago of Spring Valley, the suspect in the tragic accident that occured on Motzei Shabbos, June 14, that took the life of 4-year-old Goldy Eisenbach and injured several others. 

Lopez-Santiago was charged with three counts of Aggravated Vehicular Homicide, one count of Manslaughter in the Second Degree, two counts of Assault in the Second Degree, one count of Driving While Intoxicated as a Felony, and one count of reckless driving. 

Lopez-Santiago is accused of driving recklessly and at a high speed on Old Nyack Turnpike when he suddenly veered across the double yellow line and into the opposite lane of traffic. He continued off the road and onto the pedestrian sidewalk near the entrance to Kennedy Park, where he struck at least four individuals before crashing into a tree. When law enforcement arrived at the scene Lopez-Santiago was the only one in the car and was behind the wheel. The victims were taken to local hospitals where Goldy Eisenbach sadly succumbed to 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 under the influence at the time of the collision.