LONG ISLAND, NY — Steven Schwally was sentenced Wednesday to 25 years to life for drunkenly driving an SUV into a Long Island nail salon and killing four people. Nine others were hurt in the crash, which happened at Hawaii Nail & Spa in Deer Park.
The 66-year-old Marine Corps veteran was convicted in June on all 30 counts he faced. Prosecutors said his blood alcohol level was .17 at the time, more than twice the legal limit.
Judge says Schwally should never be released after deadly Deer Park crash
During sentencing, the judge recommended that Schwally never be released and never be granted parole. Schwally did not look at victims or family members in court, and at one point gave a photographer the finger.
His attorney also read a statement asking for the lightest possible sentence, pointing to his health problems. The court ultimately imposed the maximum punishment allowed under the plea verdict.
Four victims killed when SUV hit Hawaii Nail & Spa on Grand Boulevard
The people killed were Emilia Rennhack, an off-duty NYPD officer, Jiancai “Ken” Chen, Yan “Jenny” Xu and Meizi Zhang. Prosecutors said witnesses described the crash as a violent explosion that sent bodies flying.
Authorities said Schwally later told police, “I haven’t broken any laws. I’m a marine.” The crash left a large number of injured survivors and devastated families in the Deer Park community.
Prosecutors say Schwally drank for hours before buying liquor near the salon
According to prosecutors, Schwally told police he drank 18 beers the night before the crash and kept drinking until about 4 a.m. on June 28, 2025. He later left the Commack Motor Inn around 11 a.m. to buy bottles of Montebello Long Island Iced Tea at a liquor store near the salon.
About five hours later, police said he was seen driving at a high rate of speed through the parking lot before the SUV slammed into the business. Investigators also found an empty Montebello bottle in his vehicle.
June 2024 crash led to 30-count conviction and a life sentence recommendation
Schwally was arrested after the June 2024 crash and convicted in June on all charges. The sentencing closes a case that drew wide attention because one of the victims was an off-duty NYPD officer and the others were salon customers and workers.
The punishment of 25 years to life means Schwally will spend decades in prison, with the judge signaling that parole should never be considered. The case remains one of the region’s most serious drunken-driving prosecutions in recent years.
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