Steven Schwally, 64, has been charged with the tragic deaths of four individuals after crashing his SUV into a nail salon in Deer Park, Long Island. His new attorney claims Schwally couldn’t remove his foot from the gas pedal due to a serious leg injury.
The crash on June 3 allegedly claimed the lives of NYPD Officer Emilia Rennhack, 30, nail salon co-owner Jiancai “Kenny” Chen, 37, and employees Yan Xu, 41, and Meizi Zhang, 50. Schwally was reportedly under the influence at the time of the accident.
During a recent court hearing, lawyer Christopher Cassar revealed that Schwally has “pins in that leg and ankle,” which he argued hindered Schwally’s ability to brake in time. “We’re reviewing all the evidence and medical records to understand the situation better,” he stated.
James Carbone/Newsday via AP, Pool
A blood test indicated Schwally had a blood alcohol content of 0.17%, more than double the legal limit. He was previously represented by the Legal Aid Society of Suffolk County and appeared in court using a wheelchair.
During the proceedings, Assistant Suffolk County District Attorney Alexander Bopp shared that additional evidence is still pending. It’s alleged that Schwally crashed into the salon at a speed of 78 mph, narrowly avoiding pedestrians outside a nearby Kohl’s.
As of now, a trial date has not been determined, and Schwally remains in custody without bail at Suffolk County Jail.
Who are the Victims?
Officer Emilia Rennhack was serving in the 102nd Precinct in Queens and was at the salon for a friend’s wedding when the incident occurred. Only recently married in September 2023, her department remembered her dedication to service on Facebook.
X and GoFundMe
Kenny Chen was not just a co-owner of the salon but a family man whose young children now face an uncertain future. His nephew, Vincent Zheng, highlighted their plight on a GoFundMe page.
Yan Xu worked at the salon to care for her elderly father and 12-year-old son, who has polio. Meizi Zhang, a nail technician at the salon, resided in Flushing, Queens.