Drunk driver who killed 4 people in Deer Park salon crash sentenced to 25 years to life
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 was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison on Wednesday.
On June 28, 2024, prosecutors said Steven 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 Rennhack, 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.
Several survivors spoke during the sentencing, including the husband of off-duty NYPD officer Emilia Rennhack. Schwally also spoke and apologized to the victims and their families in the courtroom.
Carl Rennhack said his wife, Emilia, was “perfect in every way.”
He said she “always had the biggest smile and the loudest laugh.”
He stressed the impact Schwally's actions have had on the Deer Park community, leading to many families “turned upside down.”
Schwally’s attorney Christopher Cassar read a statement on Schwally’s behalf, in which Schwally said he is “not the monster” he’s been portrayed to be. Once Cassar finished the statement, Schwally spoke, at one point turning to address the surviving victims and the deceased victims’ families in the courtroom. He said that he was “terribly sorry” for his actions and that “never” in his “wildest dreams” could he have imagined he’d do something like that.
He said he hoped they can forgive him.
State Supreme Court Justice Richard Ambro told Schwally that his sentencing comes with his recommendation to the parole board that Schwally never be released.
