A convicted drunk driver who killed four people when he plowed his SUV into a Long Island nail salon was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for the tragic crash.
Videos by Wide Open Country
Steven Schwally was captured on video driving his vehicle at breakneck speed into the Hawaii Nail Salon in a Deer Park strip mall in Summer 2024. The 66-year-old was convicted on all 30 counts, including murder, assault and vehicular homicide.
Prosecutors stated that Schwally was drunkenly driving around Deer Park before ramming into the nail salon at 80 miles per hour.
Drunk Driver Killed Off-Duty Cop, Three Others
According to the New York Post, the elderly man guzzled 18 beers and Long Island iced teas before barreling through the nail salon, killing off-duty NYPD officer Emilia Rennhack, 30, who was getting a manicure for a wedding, as well as salon owner Jian Chai Chen, 37, and employees Yan Xu, 41, and Mei Zi Zhang, 50.
He injured nine others, including a 12-year-old girl, who required surgery.
"Steven Schwally drank until his blood alcohol content was more than twice the legal limit. He chose to get behind the wheel of an SUV, run four stop signs and speed through a red light, crashing his two-ton vehicle into a room full of people," Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said.
Drunk Drivers Sentenced to 25 Years to Life in Prison
Carl Rennhack, the husband of NYPD Officer Emilia Rennhack who died in the crash, said that the verdict is the only solace he can find amidst tragedy.
"Knowing he will die behind bars is the only comfort we have," he said.
Wen Jun Chen, who co-owned the nail salon with her husband, Jincai Chen, was seriously injured in the crash. She would end up losing her spleen and badly injuring her liver. Her husband was killed.
She had the ADA read her written statement, which said in part, "No verdict can bring my husband back. No amount of money can restore my children's father or erase what happened. But the law can do something profoundly important. It can recognize responsibility, affirm the value of a human life, and ensure that actions have consequences."
During the trial, Schwally allegedly flipped the bird at court cameras. His attorney denied witnessing the act.
Despite his half-hearted apology to the victim's family, Schwally was handed the maximum sentence.
"You were and still are depravedly indifferent. I only regret the sentences I'm about to impose can't be longer," said Judge Richard Ambro.
