Drunk driver who killed 4 in Deer Park salon crash scheduled for sentencing today
A Suffolk County jury convicted Steven Schwally during a trial in June.
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A Dix Hills man found guilty of driving drunk and killing four people when he slammed his car through a Deer Park salon two years ago will be sentenced today.
Steven Schwally, 66, faces up to 25 years to life in prison following his June conviction.
On June 28, 2024, prosecutors said Schwally went to a liquor store in Deer Park where he bought two bottles of Montebello Long Island Iced Tea Cocktail before getting back into his car and driving around the area for roughly five hours.
Around 4:30 p.m., Schwally was speeding at over 78 mph and had a blood alcohol content of 0.17%, more than double the legal limit, when he plowed through the Hawaii Nail & Spa on Grand Boulevard.
The crash killed four people, including New York Police Department Officer Emilia Renhack, salon owner Jiancai Chen and two employees Yan Xu and Meizi Zhang. Nine other people were injured.
Leading up to his trial, Schwally rejected two plea deals that would have reduced his maximum sentence to 22 years to life in prison.
Earlier this summer, a Suffolk County jury convicted Schwally of murder, manslaughter, aggravated vehicular homicide, vehicular assault and reckless endangerment, plus several additional misdemeanors.
Schwally was not in court when the verdict was read two months ago because he was recovering from a heart attack.
His attorney argued Schwally lost control of his car because he suffers from a disability and his leg locked up, so he couldn't move his foot off the gas. He blamed the case and the testimony for causing his client's heart issues.
Schwally's sentencing is scheduled for 10 a.m. before Judge Richard Ambro.
The Suffolk County District Attorney's office is expected to speak following the sentencing.
