Sources: Dix Hills man to face murder charges in Deer Park nail salon crash
Police say Steven Schwally drove drunk and crashed into the Hawaii Nail and Spa in Deer Park on June 28, killing four people and injuring nine others.
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Sources confirmed to News 12 Monday that a grand jury indicted Steven Schwally on murder charges.
Police say he drove drunk and crashed into the Hawaii Nail and Spa in Deer Park on June 28, killing four people and injuring nine others.
The news of these impending charges comes just one month after the tragedy shocked the Deer Park community.
"To be honest, I think he should be charged,” said Usman Ali, of Deer Park. “I think they should've charged him right away to begin with."
Schwally previously pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor charge following the crash.
"I'm just glad that it's finally being done,” said Dan Finson, of Deer Park. “When I saw that it was just going to be a misdemeanor, I thought it just didn't make sense to me."
The crash killed Jiancai Chen, Yan Xu, Meizi Zhang, and NYPD Officer Emilia Rennhack. Chen will be laid to rest Tuesday.
Amee Hernandez, with the group Jibaritos With Troops, organized the candlelight vigil after the crash.
"[Schwally] did a lot of damage to a lot of people's lives," said Hernandez. "How would he have felt if something like this would have been vice versa, and it would have impacted his family? How would you feel? Cause there's no words, there's nothing that you can say that can take away the pain that he caused."
Hernandez also raised money for the victim's families with the help of other Deer Park businesses.
"Everybody who is in this community who actually went to the salon or lived within the community, even not going, they kind of have been impacted one way or the other by the tragedy event,” she said. “So, they've been a huge support."
Community members tell us they hope these impending charges send a message.
"I hope it makes people think twice before getting in the car when they're drunk,” said Finson.
Sources tell News 12 Schwally is due back in court on Thursday.
Jibaritos With Troops is raising money to send care packages to the survivors of the crash. Those interested can contact the group via their Facebook page.
