Tragic Long Island Nail Salon Crash: 66-Year-Old Drunk Driver Found Guilty on 38 Counts, Including 4 Counts of Second-Degree Murder
Four people were killed and nine others were injured in a devastating incident at a Chinese-owned nail salon on Long Island, where a drunk driver crashed into the establishment. On June 4th, the jury ruled that 66-year-old driver Steven Schwally was guilty on all 38 counts, which included 4 counts of second-degree murder.
The incident occurred in June 2024 when the defendant was driving a Chevrolet Traverse SUV and crashed into the Hawaii Nail Spa located in Deer Park, Long Island, resulting in the deaths of the store owner, employees, and customers, including three individuals of Chinese descent. Additionally, nine people were injured in the accident.
Surveillance footage showed the vehicle speeding through the front glass door of the nail salon while multiple customers and employees were inside. Prosecutors stated that the defendant was visibly intoxicated at the time of the accident, with slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, and a strong smell of alcohol on his person.
Evidence presented by the prosecution revealed that the defendant had purchased alcoholic beverages hours before the crash, resulting in a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.17%, more than double the legal limit of 0.08% in New York State.
After two days of deliberation, the jury reached a verdict. During the deliberations, the court reviewed the testimony of Suffolk County Police Detective Brian Whitehead. According to the testimony, the defendant, while under investigation in the hospital after the incident, admitted to drinking heavily until 3 or 4 am the night before, consuming a total of 18 beers. He had a vague recollection of the events leading up to the crash, remembering sitting in the car with the airbag deployed, and the vehicle inside the nail salon.
In addition to the four counts of Second-Degree Murder, the defendant was also convicted of multiple charges, including driving while intoxicated (DWI), aggravated vehicular homicide, and assault.
Family members of the victims present in the courtroom became emotional as each charge was read aloud.
The accident claimed the lives of four individuals, including the nail salon owner Ken Chen, employees Yan Xu and Meizi Zhang, and 34-year-old off-duty New York City Police Officer Emilia Rennack.
Prosecutors highlighted that this case underscores the severe consequences of drunk driving, with the families of the victims finally receiving justice after two years.
The defendant, who was hospitalized due to a sudden heart attack on May 21st, did not appear in court. Newsday reported that he had rejected a plea deal that could have resulted in a maximum sentence of 22 years to life imprisonment. His sentencing is scheduled for August 21st, and he faces a maximum of 27 and a half years to life in prison.