An off-duty New York City police officer getting her nails done was among the four victims killed Friday when an SUV crashed into a Long Island nail salon.
Emilia Rennhack was an officer at the 102nd Precinct in Queens. A spokesperson for the New York City Police Department confirmed her death on Saturday.
The NYC Police Benevolent Association said their “hearts are breaking” over Rennhack’s death.
“Please join us in praying for her family, friends and coworkers,” the association said in a Facebook post.
Customers and staff were at Hawaii Nail & Spa on Grand Boulevard in Deer Park when a Chevy Traverse crashed through the front window, Suffolk County police said.
A witness told NBC New York that the SUV plowed through the front of the salon and almost came out through the back of the store. All of those killed or injured were inside the salon at the time, Lt. Kevin Heissenbuttel said.
The driver, Steven Schwally, was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, police said Saturday. Authorities allege he was driving a Chevy Traverse southbound at a high rate of speed through a parking lot when he crossed over Grand Boulevard and continued driving through the parking lot of the nail salon before crashing through the window.
A man and three women, including Rennhack, died at the scene. Nine others were injured. The other victims have not been identified by officials.
One witness said the SUV appeared to have been racing through the parking lot across the street before crashing, NBC New York reported. The witness said the driver was “seemingly in a rush” and was trying to get around another vehicle when it drove into the building.
Another witness said he heard a speeding car followed by a “shattering” noise, according to The Associated Press.
