Four people are dead, and nine others are injured after a car crashed into a nail salon in the Deer Park area of Long Island, New York, authorities say. Around 4:32 p.m. on Friday, Steven Schwally, 64, a Dix Hills resident, was driving a 2020 Chevrolet Traverse in Deer Park southbound at a high rate of speed. Schwally then crossed over and continued to speed through a parking lot. He then crashed the vehicle through the front window of Hawaii Nail & Spa, the Suffolk County Police Department said.
Three women and a man were pronounced dead at the scene when a physician assistant from the office of the Suffolk County Medical Examiner arrived. Eight victims were transported to local area hospitals and one was airlifted by the Suffolk County police helicopter to Stony Brook University Hospital, police said. Schwally was also transported to Good Samaritan University Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. He was charged with driving while intoxicated and will be arraigned once a date is assigned, police said. At last check, the Suffolk County Police Department had not provided an updated status on the victims.
The Suffolk County Police Department has released the names of the four victims killed. They are: Jiancai Chen, 37, of Bayside, Queens, Emilia Rennhack, 30, of Deer Park, Yan Xu, 41, of Flushing, Queens, and Meizi Zhang, 50, of Flushing, Queens.
One of the victims that died in the crash was a New York Police Department (NYPD) officer. Emilia Rennhack, 30, of Deer Park, was an officer at the 102nd precinct in Queens. New York broadcast station ABC7NY said her husband is also a NYPD detective. “Rest in Peace NYPD Officer Emilia Rennhack,” Nassau County Executive, Bruce Blakeman, said in a Facebook post. “Officer Rennhack was sadly killed by a drunk driver in Suffolk County. Let us remember her service and sacrifice on behalf of our safety.”
Another Facebook user said Rennhack was getting ready for a wedding before she was killed. “I’m so sorry this happened to you my sister in blue she was getting her nails done for an upcoming wedding when a drunk driver crashed his minivan into the nail salon,” Veronica Watson Figueroa wrote. Other officials asked the public to keep Rennhack and other victims in their thoughts and prayers. “My deepest condolences go out to the family, friends, and co-workers of NYPD Officer Emilia Rennhack, whose life was taken far too soon by a drunk driver while off-duty. We mourn this tragic loss and thank Officer Rennhack for her distinguished service – may she Rest in Peace,” Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-NY) said in a Facebook post. “Please keep Officer Rennhack, the additional victims of this accident, and their loved ones in your prayers.”
A 20-year-old girl who was a customer at Hawaii Nail & Spa is currently recovering from injuries she sustained from the crash. Her aunt, Virginia Garcia, told CBS News that her niece is “lucky to be alive.” “The lady that was sitting next to her died. So she was more nervous because when she saw that the other lady died, she was like, God saved her life, basically … She’s lucky that she’s alive, actually,” Garcia told the broadcast station. Garcia also told the news station that her niece likely has some broken bones.
In another tragic incident, the City of Edinburg announced that a fourth victim, 10-year-old Shailey Rachel Martinez, died from her injuries after a suspected drunk driving crash. Martinez and three other people were killed in a suspected drunk-driving crash Monday night, police said. According to a news release, officers responded at 9:14 p.m. to the 2200 block of South Jackson Road where there was a major accident. Upon arrival, they saw two vehicles that appeared to have collided head-on. A preliminary investigation revealed that a black truck veered into the southbound lane, colliding with a gray minivan. The driver of the minivan, 50-year-old Luz Aurora Casado, was pronounced dead at the scene. Her 68-year-old mother Maria Guadalupe Zavala Casado and 2-year-old granddaughter Elleiana Santoy were transported to DHR Hospital where they also died from their injuries. The driver of the pickup truck, identified as 46-year-old Sheng Li Jiang, remains in critical condition. The release states that he will be facing charges. “Preliminary findings from the investigation point to an alleged drunk driver as the cause of this fatal accident,” the release stated.
In Berlin Township, Michigan, two young siblings were killed over the weekend when a suspected drunk driver drove through a child’s birthday party in Monroe County. On Saturday, April 20, a boy and a girl both under the age of 10 were killed in the crash. The children’s mother and a third sibling were also seriously injured, among several others. On Saturday afternoon, a birthday party was taking place for a young child at the Swan Boat Club in Berlin Township, according to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. The club is located off Lake Erie in Berlin Township. At about 3 p.m. Saturday, a suspected drunk driver drove into the building, crashing into a wall on the building’s north side. The vehicle — driven by a 66-year-old woman whose identity has not yet been released — stopped about 25 feet inside the building. Two children, a brother and a sister, were killed in the crash. The kids were identified by police as 8-year-old Alanah Phillips and her brother, 5-year-old Zayn Phillips. A third sibling and the children’s mother were also seriously injured in the crash. They were hospitalized and were in critical condition, according to a GoFundMe started for the family. Of the people injured Saturday, police said that nine of them — three children and six adults — had injuries and were taken to the hospital for treatment. It’s believed that count includes the victims’ mother and brother. Others who were injured were privately taken for medical treatment, officials said.
The 66-year-old woman who drove an apparent SUV into the boat club was believed to be drunk. Monroe County authorities say their investigation indicates she was at a nearby tavern before the crash. Surveillance video from a home nearby shows the woman’s vehicle speeding by. Police said the woman was cooperating with the investigation. She was arrested for operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing death. Additional criminal charges were expected to be brought against the woman, officials said. The driver’s identity will be made public once she is officially arraigned on any charges. Her arraignment date was expected to be decided by Tuesday, April 23.
Nine people were taken to the hospital on Saturday in ambulances and air ambulances, according to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. One person, a 42-year-old man, received medical treatment on his own, officials said. Here is a list of the people injured and their conditions, as of 2:30 p.m. on Monday, April 22: 31-year-old woman, critical condition. 11-year-old boy, critical condition. 18-year-old woman, serious condition. 16-year-old girl, serious condition. 14-year-old boy, serious condition. 70-year-old woman, minor injuries. 66-year-old woman, minor injuries. 62-year-old woman, minor injuries. 57-year-old woman, minor injuries. 42-year-old man, minor injuries.
The two children killed Saturday, and their older brother who is hospitalized, were members of the Flat Rock Community Schools district. District Superintendent Andrew Brodie wrote a letter to families on Sunday, April 21. “It is with a heavy heart that I reach out to you today following the tragic events that unfolded yesterday. A senseless accident occurred where a drunk driver crashed into Swan Creek Boat Club, resulting in the loss of two siblings who were students in our school (Early Childhood Center, Bobcean Elementary) and severe injuries of a third sibling (Simpson Middle School),” Brodie said, in part. “Our entire school community is reeling from this devastating news, and our hearts ache for the families and loved ones of those affected by this unimaginable tragedy. Words cannot adequately express the depth of our sorrow, nor can they ease the pain of those who are grieving. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with every one of you during this incredibly difficult time.” Counselors and social workers were expected to provide support at Flat Rock schools starting Monday, April 22.
A fundraising campaign was started for the family of the two children who were killed, and whose mother and other sibling were seriously hurt on Saturday. The GoFundMe, which was verified by the GoFundMe platform, is seeking to raise $200,000 to help with funeral services, as well as housing and medical expenses for the family. As of Monday afternoon, the campaign had raised more than $178,000.
Source: USA TODAY, ValleyCentral, WDIV ClickOnDetroit, WABC
