Community pays tribute to victims of fatal crash in Deer Park

DEER PARK, N.Y. (PIX11) -- The community gathered Monday for a candlelight vigil to remember the four people who lost their lives when an SUV crashed into a nail salon on Long Island on Friday.

Steven Schwally, 64, of Dix Hills, was allegedly speeding when he crashed an SUV into the Hawaii Nail & Spa on Grand Boulevard in Deer Park, according to the Suffolk County Police Department. Schwally appeared in court on Monday.

Hundreds of people gathered outside of Hawaii Nail & Spa to remember the four victims killed on Friday afternoon.

Murita Coleman Simpson has been a customer of the nail salon for years.

“At a time like this, you have to be there for them. We are family friends. You have to be there,” Simpson said.

Surveillance video shows how fast Schwally was going at the moment of the impact. He appeared in court and pleaded not guilty to DWI charges. Among the victims killed were NYPD Officer Emilia Rennhack, as well as the nail salon owner and two workers. According to court documents, they were sitting in front of the store.

“When I first heard that it was a man that passed away, it broke my heart because I knew that Ken was always in the front,” said Heather Sheehan, a patron of the nail salon

Family members of the victims showed up to the vigil this evening, laying floral arrangements and receiving the community’s support.

“Just hope and pray that the ones that are fighting for their lives come through, and we pray for Kenny and Joy's little ones, and hopefully they know we are all here for them,” Francesca Hofacker, a long-time deer park resident, said.

“No one should get behind a wheel and have alcohol in their system,” Jennifer Leyden added.

This isn’t Schwally’s first time being arrested for DWI. A decade ago, in April 2014, he was also behind bars for similar charges. Court documents revealed that officers say he had bloodshot and glassy eyes, and his speech was slurred when the police questioned him. Prosecutors said he drank 18 beers the night before the deadly crash.

Schwally’s next court date is Friday, the same day Rennhack will be laid to rest.