A community is in mourning after a drunk driver plowed into a nail salon on Long Island.
The crowd gathered for a vigil in front of the nail salon where four people were killed and nine were injured.
One of those killed was NYPD Officer Emila Rennhack. She was an off-duty officer getting her nails done Friday when authorities said a drunk driver plowed through Hawaii Nail & Spa.
What You Need To Know
- A community is in mourning after a drunk driver plowed into a nail salon on Long Island
- Prosecutors said the driver Steven Schwally was driving intoxicated and drove into Hawaii Nail & Spa Friday, which killed four people and injured nine
- Elected leaders and family of the victims mourned the loss of their loved ones, including the owner of the salon
“In respect to those who died, including the New York City police officer, the owner of the place who I know for seven, eight years,” Ira Weintraub, who attended the vigil, said.
According to police, 64-year-old Steven Schwally drove over Grand Boulevard in Deer Park on Long Island before crashing into the salon.
He was arraigned in Suffolk County on Monday. The judge set bail at $1 million cash and $2 million dollars bond.
Meanwhile, in Queens, bunting was put up in front of the 102 Precinct station house, which is where Officer Rennhack worked since 2018.
Fund the First Started a fundraiser for her family, including her husband Carl, who is an NYPD detective in the same precinct.
The couple had just gotten married in September.
PBA President Patrick Hendry released a statement saying, “This individual’s horrible choices have shattered lives and turned dozens of families upside down. He should not have been behind the wheel that day, and should not be back on the streets ever again.”
Lawmakers joined family members of victims Monday to mourn the loss.
Another person killed in the crash was the salon manager. His family was emotional, while leaders demanded justice.
“We want to hold this person who was reckless and should not have been anywhere near a vehicle fully accountable for what he did to this family and others over the weekend,” Assemblymember Ron Kim said.
Schwally has his next court date on Friday, according to officials. It’s the same day as Officer Rennhack’s funeral.