A driver accused of drunkenly speeding into a Long Island nail salon, killing four people, including an off-duty NYPD officer, is expected to be released from the hospital Monday and taken to a courthouse for arraignment.
Steven Schwally was arrested after the Friday crash on Grand Boulevard in Deer Park. Officials in Suffolk County said the 64-year-old minivan driver was speeding when he slammed into the Hawaii Nail & Spa around 4:30 p.m.
At least nine people were hurt, in addition to the four who died. Police released the names of those killed over the weekend as Jiancai Chen, Emilia Rennhack, Yan Xu, and Meizi Zhang. Rennhack, 30, was an officer with the NYPD.
Nine others suffered injuries, some of which were considered serious. One of the injured was airlifted to a nearby hospital. The youngest was just 12 years old.
The minivan went through the front of the beauty business and nearly came out the other side of it, a fire official said, indicating its high speed.
Witnesses said the vehicle raced through a parking lot across the street, seemingly in a rush to get out of there. The driver then went around another car that was stopped at a traffic light, and as the van was trying to turn onto Grand Boulevard, it flew right into the salon.
It was not immediately clear whether the crash was intentional, nor was it known how many people were in the minivan at the time. Details on the specific charges are expected later Monday. It wasn't clear if Schwally had an attorney.
About 150 firefighters and EMS personnel responded to the incident.
The NYPD mourns the loss of @NYPD102Pct Police Officer Emilia Rennhack. She was tragically killed yesterday while off-duty on Long Island. Please keep her family, friends, and co-workers in your thoughts. Rest in Peace. pic.twitter.com/fRnCubELFB
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) June 29, 2024
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