A Suffolk County man, Steven Schwarley, has been found guilty of multiple charges after he drove his SUV into a Deer Park nail salon, resulting in the deaths of an off-duty NYPD officer and three others. The incident occurred following an extensive drinking session where he consumed numerous beers and Long Island Iced Teas.
On Thursday, a jury convicted the 66-year-old of four counts of second-degree murder along with various other offenses connected to the tragic crash on June 28, 2024.
Prosecutors revealed, supported by a shocking viral video, that Schwarley had been drinking for over five hours before he crashed into Hawaii Nail & Spa at speeds around 130 mph.
Among those killed were 30-year-old officer Emilia Lenhack, who was at the salon for manicures before a wedding, along with salon owner Zhen Chai Chen, 37, and employees Yang Xu, 41, and Mei Tze Chan, 50. In addition, nine others were injured, including a 12-year-old girl who required surgical intervention.
Though Schwally initially claimed to have consumed 18 beers that day, he actually drank far more Long Island iced tea, purchasing it from a liquor store that was located in the same strip mall as the salon.
Police found two empty pints and one full bottle of Long Island Iced Tea in his vehicle, with another empty bottle at the Commack Motor Inn, where he was living.
At the time of the fatal incident, his blood alcohol level was recorded at 0.17%, which is more than double the legal limit.
Suffolk District Attorney Raymond Tierney commented on the case, stating that it was a regular Friday afternoon when customers entered the salon, unaware that four would never return home due to Schwarley’s decision to drive while intoxicated. He emphasized that drunken driving is not merely an accident, but a grave crime.
Schwarley faces a lengthy prison sentence, potentially up to 25 years to life for the most serious charge alone. He was also convicted of charges including manslaughter, aggravated vehicular homicide, and several misdemeanors.
Suffolk Chief Assistant District Attorney Allen Bode expressed gratitude for the jury’s verdict, noting that they recognized it was not an accident, but a crime.
Schwarley has been absent from the trial, having suffered a heart attack in prison earlier in May. However, Bode stated that convicted individuals should hear from the victims’ families during sentencing, and adjustments could be accommodated if needed.
His attorney, Christopher Cassar, argued that Schwarley lost control due to a leg issue, claiming he didn’t appear intoxicated when exiting the vehicle. Cassar contended that the video shows Schwarley attempting to swerve to avoid a collision, suggesting the case could be reconsidered upon appeal.
However, court records challenge this defense. Before crashing into the nail salon, Schwally reportedly swerved into a pedestrian area and nearly hit two women on Commack Road. His erratic driving intensified as he sped through a parking lot, dodging cars and ignoring traffic regulations, culminating in the disastrous crash when he ran a red light and hit the nail salon at high speed.
Upon arrest, officers noted that Schwally displayed signs of intoxication, including slurred speech and bloodshot eyes. Reportedly, he yelled for help, declaring, “Get me out of here…I’m a Marine!”
