Carlos Ayala Ninazunta Killed in Spring Valley Accident
Suspect charged with felonies after victim's body was discovered concealed beneath a parked pickup truck
Carlos Fabian Ayala Ninazunta, 30, of Spring Valley, was killed in a pedestrian accident on Park Avenue in Spring Valley, Rockland County, New York, early Saturday, April 18, according to the Ramapo Police Department.
Manuel Milton Yantalema Parco, 36, was arrested and charged with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death, concealment of a human corpse and tampering with physical evidence. The suspect is accused of striking the victim with a vehicle, dragging him, and hiding the body beneath an uninvolved parked pickup truck in a parking lot.
Officers discovered the remains at approximately 7:15 a.m. after responding to a report of a deceased person.
Investigators used surveillance footage to identify the suspect vehicle, locating it later that day in the Chestnut Ridge area.
The defendant was arraigned in Ramapo Justice Court and remanded to the Rockland County Jail on $500,000 cash bail.
The victim leaves behind a wife and two young sons. A community fundraiser was established to help return his remains to Ecuador.
How do investigators build a hit-and-run pedestrian case in Spring Valley?
While the suspect faces serious felony charges, establishing a full timeline of the collision and subsequent concealment remains critical for the victim's family. National Legal Analyst Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal. "Having the right resources is essential in any pedestrian accident investigation, helping ensure evidence is collected, reviewed and documented properly so investigators can determine whether negligence played a role,"
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 23% of pedestrian death nationwide involve hit-and-run drivers, making surveillance footage and physical evidence collection vital for accountability.
What legal avenues exist for families of hit-and-run victims?
The sudden loss of a husband and father leaves families facing immense emotional and financial burdens, especially when the at-fault driver attempts to evade responsibility. National Legal Analyst Stefano Formica, of Counsel at Counsel at Bond Legal. "The stress and sorrow can be extremely overwhelming after losing a loved one in an accident,"
Parallel to the criminal proceedings in Rockland County, civil avenues allow surviving dependents to seek accountability for the deep loss of companionship and financial support.
New York wrongful death statute
Under N.Y. EPTL § 5-4.1, surviving family members may file a wrongful death action. New York applies pure comparative fault. The statute of limitations is 2 years from the date of death.
Recoverable damages may include loss of financial support, loss of parental guidance, funeral expenses, and the decedent's conscious pain and suffering.
National Legal Analyst Bond of Bond Legal noted that "Most people don't realize that a phantom vehicle can cause a crash without any contact at all.