NYPD officer among four dead, driver charged with drunk driving after crash at Long Island nail salon

Police have charged the man driving an SUV that killed four people with drunken driving after he drove at high speeds into a Long Island nail salon. An NYPD officer was among the four dead, while 10 others were injured in the incident.

Suffolk County Police said 64-year-old Steven Schwally was driving a Chevy Traverse southbound through a parking lot in Deer Park at a high rate of speed around 4:30 p.m. when he crossed a street and continued into another parking lot. Schwally then crashed through the front window of Hawaii Nail & Spa, smashing through almost the entire back of the salon.

Three women and one man were pronounced dead at the scene. Police identified them as: Jiancai Chen, 37, of Bayside, Queens; Yan Xu, 41, of Flushing, Queens; Meizi Zhang, 50, of Flushing, Queens; and Emilia Rennhack, 30, an off-duty NYPD officer who lived in Deer Park. Nine other people, including a 12-year-old girl, were injured and taken to local hospitals. One person had to be flown out by helicopter.

Suffolk County police arrested Schwally, of Dix Hills, and charged him with drunken driving after the crash. Police say Schwally was one of those hospitalized because he suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Police say he will be charged at a later date.

Witnesses reported seeing the vehicle pull out of the Kohl’s parking lot across from the salon. Firefighters say the vehicle drove through the entire building and became stuck in the back of the salon for hours after the crash.

NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban wrote: “Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of Police Officer Emilia Rennhack, whose life was cut short far too soon. We offer our support to Emilia’s family, friends and colleagues during this incredibly difficult time. Please think of our police officer and her loved ones and pray for them.”

Mayor Eric Adams wrote, among other things: “It is never easy to receive news that we have lost one of our dedicated public servants – no matter the circumstances.”

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