NYPD cop among 4 dead, 9 injured in suspected drunken-driving crash at NYC nail salon

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — An NYPD officer is one of four people who died from injuries sustained when a car allegedly driven by a driver under the influence of alcohol crashed into a nail salon in Deer Park, Long Island, Friday.

The crash killed off-duty Officer Emilia Rennhack, who was assigned to the 102nd Precinct in Queens, according to multiple NYPD sources.

Rennhack joined The Finest in January 2018 and served in the 102nd Precinct for five years, public records show.

NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban was among those who posted tributes to Rennhack on social media.

“Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of Police Officer Emilia Rennhack, whose life was taken far too soon,” the commissioner posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“We offer our support to Emilia’s family, friends and colleagues during this incredibly difficult time. Please keep our officer and his loved ones in your thoughts and prayers.

“The NYPD mourns the loss of @NYPD102Pct “Police Officer Emilia Rennhack,” NYPD News posted on X. “She was tragically killed yesterday while off-duty on Long Island. Please think of his family, friends and colleagues. Rest in peace. »

AUTHORITIES DETAIL ACCIDENT

Long Island police have arrested a man on suspicion of drunken driving after he crashed his SUV into a nail salon, killing four people and injuring nine others.

Suffolk County police said Saturday that Steven Schwally was speeding through the parking lot when he drove his 2020 Chevrolet Traverse through the front window of Hawaii Nail & Spa in Deer Park around 4:30 p.m. Friday.

The salon was open and operating at the time of the accident, police said.

Three women and one man were pronounced dead at the scene and eight women and one man were transported to various local hospitals.

Among the victims, one was a 12-year-old girl and the others were all adults, police said. At least two of the injuries were serious.

Schwally, 64, of Dix Hills, was charged with driving while intoxicated. He was transported to Good Samaritan University Hospital in West Islip to be treated for injuries that were not life-threatening.

Firefighters responding to the crash said he was semi-conscious when his vehicle came to a stop almost at the rear of the store, located in a shopping center.

Suffolk County Prosecutor Ray Tierney's office said Schwally, who was still hospitalized Saturday morning, would be arraigned later. Spokespeople for the office and the police department said they did not have contact information for his attorney.