Tragic Car Crash Claims Four Lives at New York Nail SalonTragic Car Crash Claims Four Lives at New York Nail Salon Horrifying CCTV footage captured the moment a suspected drunk driver crashed into a nail salon in New York, killing four people. The Incident On Monday, 64-year-old Steven Schwally of Dix Hills, New York, appeared in court facing charges of driving under the influence (DWI). More serious charges are expected. The crash occurred at Hawaii Nail and Spa in New York City, where an off-duty NYPD officer, Emilia Rennhack, was among the victims. Victims The devastating crash claimed the lives of salon owner Jiancai Chen, 37; employees Meizi Zhang, 50, and Yan Xu, 41; and off-duty NYPD officer Emilia Rennhack, 30. Ten others were injured in the incident and hospitalized. Schwally’s Court Appearance Schwally appeared in court in a wheelchair and hospital scrubs. Prosecutors alleged he was speeding, driving on the wrong side of the road, and had a blood alcohol level above the legal limit. Prior Legal Issues Schwally has a history of drunk driving convictions. He pleaded guilty to a DWI in 2014, resulting in a suspended license. NYPD Mourns Loss Commissioner Edward Caban expressed the NYPD’s profound grief over the loss of Officer Emilia Rennhack. Impact on Families Jiancai Chen’s family has set up a GoFundMe to support his two young children. The salon was their sole source of income. Investigation Ongoing The Suffolk County District Attorney’s office is continuing to investigate the incident. Schwally remains hospitalized and is expected to be arraigned at a later date.
The horrific moment a suspected drunk driver crashed into a nail salon, killing four people, was captured on CCTV.
The driver, identified as 64-year-old Steven Schwally of Dix Hills, New York, appeared in court Monday. He is currently charged with driving under the influence (DWI), with more serious charges expected.
Victims of the tragedy
Victims of the devastating crash include the salon’s owner, Jiancai Chen, 37; his employees Meizi Zhang, 50, and Yan Xu, 41; along with an off-duty NYPD officer Emilia Rennhack30. Ten others were injured in the incident and subsequently hospitalized.
The office of Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said Schwally remained hospitalized through Saturday evening and will be arraigned at a later date.
Mrs Rennhack was at Hawaii Nail and Spa in New York City to prepare for another officer’s wedding. The chilling footage shows Schwally’s minivan speeding through the parking lot before crashing violently into Hawaii Nail and Spa.
Although the video only shows a side view of the mall, the fleeting images of the vehicle losing control are still clearly visible. The vehicle hurtles straight into the storefront, causing a cloud of debris and dust to explode from the spa.
The catastrophic impact
Authorities have confirmed that Schwally was behind the wheel when his minivan sped through the parking lot and slammed into the salon. The impact from the 2020 Chevy Traverse was so great that the vehicle drove all the way through the building before coming to a stop behind the salon, which had just opened and was serving customers for the weekend.
Schwally’s court appearance
Schwally appeared in court in a wheelchair and hospital scrubs. He was closely watched by the victims’ families as the prosecution painted a harrowing picture, saying Schwally “accelerated at high speed”, drove on the wrong side of the road, narrowly missing pedestrians before his vehicle “flew through the air” and crashed into the busy nail salon.
Alcohol use before the incident
Prosecutors said Schwally admitted to drinking 18 beers the night before. The results of a blood-alcohol test are still pending. When Schwally was questioned after the crash, he reportedly had bloodshot, glassy eyes and slurred speech. According to criminal complaints obtained by CBS News, an odor of alcohol came from his breath.
Previous legal issues
This isn’t Schwally’s first run-in with the law for drunk driving. In April 2014, he pleaded guilty to drunk driving, which resulted in a suspended license. His brother Edward recalls another DUI charge when Steven drove without taking a breathalyzer test in 2010 or 2011.
NYPD Mourns Loss
Race hackOne of the victims was an off-duty New York City police officer getting her nails done at the time of the crash.
NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban stated: It is with heavy hearts that we mourn the loss of police officer Emilia Rennhack, who passed away far too soon.
A heartbreaking image
Jiancai Chen’s family has set up a GoFundMe to help cover the costs of caring for their two children, ages 10 and 5. The spa was their only source of income.
