A Suffolk County jury has convicted the driver responsible for the devastating Deer Park nail salon crash that killed four people and injured nine others, finding he was intoxicated when he plowed into the business in June 2024.
Steven Schwally, 64, of Deer Park, was found guilty Thursday of four counts of second-degree murder and numerous other charges stemming from the crash at Hawaii Nail & Spa on Grand Boulevard. Prosecutors said the collision claimed the lives of four victims, including off-duty NYPD officer Emilia Rennhack.
According to evidence presented during the trial, Schwally purchased two bottles of Montebello Long Island Iced Tea Cocktail from a liquor store located in the same shopping center as the salon on June 28, 2024. Prosecutors said he spent the day driving around the Deer Park area before entering a shopping center parking lot near Kohl’s and Stop & Shop that afternoon.
Authorities said Schwally swerved around vehicles, ignored multiple stop signs and drove through several pedestrian crosswalks before running a red light at the intersection of Grand Boulevard. Data recovered from the SUV later showed the vehicle was traveling 78 mph when it became airborne crossing the intersection.
The Chevrolet Traverse then crossed into a strip mall parking lot and slammed into Hawaii Nail & Spa, driving through the business and striking customers and employees inside. Witnesses later described the destruction as resembling the aftermath of an explosion. At the time of the crash, 14 people were inside the salon.
Killed in the crash were Emilia Rennhack, 30, of Deer Park; salon owner Jian Chai Chen, 37, of Bayside; Yan Xu, 41, of Flushing; and Meizi Zhang, 50, of Flushing.
Nine other victims suffered injuries. Prosecutors said one employee lost her spleen and suffered multiple fractures, while a 12-year-old customer required surgery after suffering a fractured ankle and foot. Another victim was airlifted to Stony Brook University Hospital for treatment of a fractured leg and hip.
Investigators obtained a warrant for blood samples taken from Schwally after the crash. Testing later showed a blood alcohol content of .17%, more than twice the legal limit. Authorities also recovered multiple empty cocktail bottles from his SUV and hotel room.
District Attorney Raymond Tierney said the victims had entered the salon on what should have been an ordinary Friday afternoon before their lives were changed forever.
“Drunken driving is not an accident, it is a deadly serious crime,” Tierney said.
In addition to the murder convictions, Schwally was found guilty of assault, aggravated vehicular homicide, manslaughter, vehicular assault, DWI and other related offenses.
Schwally is scheduled to return to court for sentencing on Aug. 12, 2026. He faces up to 25 years to life in prison.
Photo: SCDA
