Four people died and nine more were injured after a car crashed into the Hawaii Nail & Spa beauty salon in Deer Park on New York's Long Island. The tragic incident occurred on Friday. The perpetrator is a 64-year-old who himself admitted that he had drunk 18 beers several hours before getting into the car. Among the dead is a policewoman with Polish roots.
On Friday at around 4:30 p.m. local time, a man crashed into the Hawaii Nail & Spa beauty salon in Deer Park, New York. The owner, two of his employees, and their 30-year-old female client were killed. Nine more people were injured, reports ABC News. According to the portal, the perpetrator allegedly swerved suddenly just before hitting the salon in an SUV. Earlier, the car had driven at excessive speed through the parking lot of Hawaii Nail & Spa. The fact that he was driving fast is also indicated by surveillance footage from the salon provided by a CBS News reporter.
Accident on Long Island. 4 dead, 9 injured
Authorities found the driver, 64-year-old Steven Schwally, at the scene. His speech was described as “slurred and incoherent.” The man allegedly smelled of alcohol and his eyes were visibly bloodshot, CNN reports, citing court documents. ABC News adds that although the 64-year-old was given a blood-alcohol test, the results have not yet been released.
According to the information that Schwally himself allegedly gave to the officers, he had consumed 18 beers the night before the incident. He was supposed to have finished consuming alcohol around 4 a.m. on Friday. Although he got into his car only a dozen or so hours later, the man does not admit to the charge of driving while intoxicated, reports ABC News. According to the portal, the 64-year-old was detained and is currently in custody. According to the decision of the Suffolk County court, he will be able to leave it after paying bail in the amount of $2 million, or $1 million in the case of cash payment. The hearing in his case is scheduled for July 12.
Hawaii Nail & Spa Beauty SalonGetty Images
The fatalities included the 37-year-old owner of Hawaii Nail & Spa Jiancai Chen, two of his employees – 41-year-old Yan Xu and 50-year-old Meizi Zhang – and a 30-year-old police officer who used their services, Emilia Rennhack. The latter was off duty and had been doing her nails for a friend's wedding, which she was supposed to attend on Friday evening. The woman was of Polish descent – according to the description of the online fundraiser set up to cover the funeral costs of the 30-year-old and the travel costs of her loved ones who wanted to say goodbye to her.
As a result of the accident, nine other people were injured, including a 12-year-old girl. The condition of two of the injured is serious – reports ABC News.
Main image source: Getty Images