The horrifying moment a suspected drunk driver plowed into a nail salon killing four people was caught on CCTV.
The driver, identified as 64-year-old Steven Schwally from Dix Hills, New York, appeared in court on Monday. He is currently facing charges for driving while intoxicated (DWI), with more severe charges expected to follow.
Victims of the Tragedy
The victims of this devastating crash include the salon’s owner, Jiancai Chen, 37; his employees Meizi Zhang, 50 and Yan Xu, 41; along with off-duty NYPD officer Emilia Rennhack, 30. The incident also left ten others injured who were subsequently hospitalized.
Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney’s office said Schwally remained hospitalized as of late Saturday and will be arraigned later.
Ms. Rennhack was at Hawaii Nail and Spa in New York City gearing up for another officer’s wedding celebration. The chilling footage shows Schwally’s minivan hurtling through the car park before it violently crashes into Hawaii Nail and Spa.
Although the video only provides a side view of the strip mall, the fleeting images of the out-of-control vehicle are still clearly visible as it speeds straight into the shop front, causing a cloud of debris and dust to explode from inside the spa.
The Catastrophic Impact
Authorities have confirmed that Schwally was behind the wheel when his minivan tore through the parking lot and smashed into the salon. Such was the force of the impact from the 2020 Chevy Traverse, the vehicle managed to travel all the way through the building before coming to a halt at the back of the salon, which was open and serving customers just before the weekend.
Schwally’s Court Appearance
Schwally appeared in court in a wheelchair and hospital attire. He was closely watched by victims’ families as the prosecution painted a harrowing picture, stating that Schwally had been “accelerating at a high rate of speed,” driving on the wrong side of the road, narrowly missing pedestrians before his vehicle “went airborne” and crashed into the busy nail salon.
Alcohol Consumption Before Incident
According to prosecutors, Schwally admitted to consuming 18 beers the previous night.
The results of a blood alcohol test are still pending. When questioned post-crash, Schwally reportedly had bloodshot and glassy eyes and slurred speech. A smell of alcoholic beverage emanated from his breath according to CBS News’ criminal complaint reports.
Previous Legal Troubles
This isn’t Schwally’s first run-in with the law for drunk driving. In April 2014, he pleaded guilty to driving under influence, resulting in a suspended license. His brother Edward recalls another DUI charge when Steven drove without taking a Breathalyzer in 2010 or 2011.
NYPD Mourns Loss
Rennhack, one of the victims, was an off-duty New York City police officer who was getting her nails done at the time of the crash.
NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban stated: Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of Police Officer Emilia Rennhack whose life was taken far too soon.
A Heartbreaking Picture
The family of Jiancai Chen has set up a GoFundMe to help cover costs for caring for their two children aged 10 and five. The spa was their sole source of income.
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