DEER PARK, NY - Authorities with the New York Police Department (NYPD) confirmed that on Friday, June 28th, a man was driving while under the influence and crashed into a Long Island nail salon, killing four people including an off-duty police officer.
According to CBS News, Suffolk County police arrested Steven Schwally, of Dix Hills, after he crashed his black Chevy Traverse into the Hawaii Nail and Spa on Grand Boulevard. The incident happened around 4:30 p.m., when witnesses reported seeing the SUV swerving as it left the Kohl's parking lot across the street from the salon.
The crash killed four people, including an off-duty NYPD officer. Nine others were injured, including a 12-year-old girl. All were rushed to local hospitals, with one victim having to be airlifted. The driver suffered minor, non-life-threatening injuries and was among those hospitalized.
The four victims have been identified: 50-year-old Meizi Zhang, 41-year-old Yan Xu, 37-year-old Jiancai Chen, and 30-year-old Emilia Rennhack, the off-duty NYPD officer who lived in Deer park. According to Fox News, Rennhack worked in the NYPD's 102nd precinct and has been with the department since 2018.
On X, the NYPD wrote, "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."
One witness told Kristie Keleshain with CBS New York, "It was just the most horrifying, traumatizing, upsetting thing I've ever seen in my life ... I couldn't sleep last night at all." The witness said she was at a nearby light when she saw the driver speed past her. The woman said, "And I thought, 'This guy is blowing a light.' And I had no idea what I was about to see, but I watched him come right across Grand Boulevard and just right into the salon."
According to fire officials, the SUV traveled all the way through the building and got stuck in the back of the salon for hours after the crash. Rennhack was at the salon getting her nails done for another officer's wedding. On Facebook, the New York Police Benevolent Association wrote, "Our hearts are breaking following the tragic loss of our 102 Pct. sister P.O. Emilia Rennhack in an off-duty incident yesterday. Please join us in praying for her family, friends, and co-workers. Funeral arrangements to follow. #RIP."
NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban wrote, "Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of Police Officer Emilia Rennhack, whose life was taken far too soon. We offer our support to Emilia's family, friends, and co-workers during this incredibly difficult time. Please keep our officer and her loved ones in your thoughts and prayers."
Mayor Eric Adams wrote in part, "It is never easy to get word that we have lose one of our own dedicated public servants — no matter the circumstances." According to the New York Post, Rennhack was recently married back in September of 2023 to fellow officer Det. Carl Rennhack. The pair met on the job. A police source said, "He's in bad shape. His wife was his life."
Rennhack's mother-in-law was in tears after hearing the devastating news, saying, "My daughter-in-law was a wonderful woman. She was beautiful. She was very kind. She was very compassionate. She was very special. I was very, very close to her."
Schwally has been charged with a DWI, according to authorities with the Suffolk Police Department (SPD) and will be arraigned at a later date. Schally's brother, Edward, said that his brother had more than one prior DUI. He said, "It's like my worst nightmare coming true. I feel terrible about innocent people getting hurt."
The brother added, "He could be vicious at times. I mean, I feel terrible for him and that it ended up happening. There's nothing I can really do for him. It's out of everybody's hands. It's in the hands of the courts. He is not going to see the light of day. He's finished. There is no way to get out of that."
According to CBS News, Suffolk County police arrested Steven Schwally, of Dix Hills, after he crashed his black Chevy Traverse into the Hawaii Nail and Spa on Grand Boulevard. The incident happened around 4:30 p.m., when witnesses reported seeing the SUV swerving as it left the Kohl's parking lot across the street from the salon.
The crash killed four people, including an off-duty NYPD officer. Nine others were injured, including a 12-year-old girl. All were rushed to local hospitals, with one victim having to be airlifted. The driver suffered minor, non-life-threatening injuries and was among those hospitalized.
The four victims have been identified: 50-year-old Meizi Zhang, 41-year-old Yan Xu, 37-year-old Jiancai Chen, and 30-year-old Emilia Rennhack, the off-duty NYPD officer who lived in Deer park. According to Fox News, Rennhack worked in the NYPD's 102nd precinct and has been with the department since 2018.
On X, the NYPD wrote, "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."
One witness told Kristie Keleshain with CBS New York, "It was just the most horrifying, traumatizing, upsetting thing I've ever seen in my life ... I couldn't sleep last night at all." The witness said she was at a nearby light when she saw the driver speed past her. The woman said, "And I thought, 'This guy is blowing a light.' And I had no idea what I was about to see, but I watched him come right across Grand Boulevard and just right into the salon."
According to fire officials, the SUV traveled all the way through the building and got stuck in the back of the salon for hours after the crash. Rennhack was at the salon getting her nails done for another officer's wedding. On Facebook, the New York Police Benevolent Association wrote, "Our hearts are breaking following the tragic loss of our 102 Pct. sister P.O. Emilia Rennhack in an off-duty incident yesterday. Please join us in praying for her family, friends, and co-workers. Funeral arrangements to follow. #RIP."
NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban wrote, "Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of Police Officer Emilia Rennhack, whose life was taken far too soon. We offer our support to Emilia's family, friends, and co-workers during this incredibly difficult time. Please keep our officer and her loved ones in your thoughts and prayers."
Mayor Eric Adams wrote in part, "It is never easy to get word that we have lose one of our own dedicated public servants — no matter the circumstances." According to the New York Post, Rennhack was recently married back in September of 2023 to fellow officer Det. Carl Rennhack. The pair met on the job. A police source said, "He's in bad shape. His wife was his life."
Rennhack's mother-in-law was in tears after hearing the devastating news, saying, "My daughter-in-law was a wonderful woman. She was beautiful. She was very kind. She was very compassionate. She was very special. I was very, very close to her."
Schwally has been charged with a DWI, according to authorities with the Suffolk Police Department (SPD) and will be arraigned at a later date. Schally's brother, Edward, said that his brother had more than one prior DUI. He said, "It's like my worst nightmare coming true. I feel terrible about innocent people getting hurt."
The brother added, "He could be vicious at times. I mean, I feel terrible for him and that it ended up happening. There's nothing I can really do for him. It's out of everybody's hands. It's in the hands of the courts. He is not going to see the light of day. He's finished. There is no way to get out of that."
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