Off-duty NYPD cop who was among 4 people killed in drunk driver crash at nail salon is laid to rest

Hundreds of people gathered for Emilia Rennhack’s funeral at a New Hyde Park funeral home, including dozens of city police officers, Newsday reported.

New York Mayor Eric Adams, a former police captain, called the 30-year-old Deer Park resident “our city’s finest,” saying she immigrated from Poland to pursue the American dream and dedicated her life so others could do the same, the newspaper reported.

Her husband, Carl Rennhack, remembers her as a “pillar” of the community and laments that the couple had “so many more plans” for their future.

Rennhack had been on the force since 2018 and was stationed at a Queens precinct, where her husband also worked as a detective. She was the only customer killed in the June 28 crash at Hawaii Nail & Spa in Deer Park.

The other victims were Jiancai Chen, a 37-year-old co-owner of the hair salon, and employees Yan Xu, 41, and Meizi Zhang, 50, both from Queens. Nine other people were also injured.

Police said Steven Schwally, 64, was speeding through the parking lot when he drove his SUV past the salon.

He pleaded not guilty to drunken driving at his arraignment Monday. Bail was set at $1 million cash, $2 million surety or $5 million partially secured bail.

Prosecutors say Schwally told police he drank 18 beers the night before the crash and didn’t stop drinking until 4 a.m. The Marine Corps veteran, who was living in a local motel at the time of the crash, is due back in court July 12.