A gruesome new video has emerged of the moments leading up to a devastating crash that claimed four lives at a Long Island nail salon, including a police officer who was getting her nails done ahead of her wedding.
The chilling footage shows former Marine Steven Schwally, 64, looking visibly disheveled as he bought alcohol at a liquor store before embarking on his deadly attack.
Schwally can then be seen speeding through a parking lot, narrowly avoiding pedestrians in footage obtained by Daily Newsbefore speeding off to Hawaii Nail & Spa in Deer Park on June 28.
The former Marine allegedly said he had consumed 18 beers before getting behind the wheel and reaching speeds of 78 mph before crashing into the saloon.
The chilling footage shows former Marine Steven Schwally, 64, looking visibly disheveled as he bought alcohol at a liquor store before embarking on his deadly attack.
Schwally can then be seen speeding through a parking lot, narrowly avoiding pedestrians in footage obtained by Newsday, before speeding toward Hawaii Nail & Spa in Deer Park on June 28.
The former Marine allegedly said he had consumed 18 beers before getting behind the wheel and reaching speeds of 78 mph before crashing into the saloon.
Prosecutors say Schwally’s speech was slurred, his eyes were bloodshot and his breath reeked of alcohol at the time of his arrest.
The accident claimed four lives, including that of an off-duty police officer, Emilia Rennhack, 34.
The other three victims were identified as Jiancai Chen, 37, the owner of the salon, and employees Yan Xu, 41, and Meizi Zhang, 50.
Nine other people were injured, including a 12-year-old girl.
Schwally allegedly told officers after the crash: “I haven’t broken any laws. Can I get my license back? I’m a Marine.”
On Thursday, Schwally pleaded not guilty to a 38-count indictment, including charges of murder and vehicular manslaughter.
Schwally faces a possible life sentence if convicted on the top charges.
The video appears to show no slowing down as Schwally’s 2020 Chevy Traverse drives down the opposite road and into the parking lot before crashing into the salon.
The sound of screaming can be heard from the living room and customers from the neighbouring business can be seen running out of their shop to see what had happened.
Emilia Rennhack, a 30-year-old off-duty New York Police Department officer, was killed in Friday’s crash.
A salon employee, Yan Xu, 41, also lost her life in the tragic accident.
Jiancai Chen, owner of Hawaii Nail & Spa in Deer Park, also died in the accident.
Prosecutors described the crash as occurring when the driver “accelerated at a high rate of speed” and Schwally allegedly “drove in the opposite lane of traffic, nearly hitting pedestrians.”
‘He continued through the intersection, went airborne and crashed into the crowded nail salon.’
The vehicle only stopped behind the building after destroying everything in its path.
This is not the first time Schwally has been charged with drunk driving, Newsday reports.
In April 2014, he pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol and had his license suspended.
Schwally’s brother, Edward, also claims he has had more than one prior DUI, recounting how he once took his brother to probation after the latter refused to take a breathalyzer in 2010 or 2011.
“It’s like my worst nightmare has come true,” the brother told The Post.
‘I feel terrible for the innocent people who are hurt.
He also admitted that his brother had a habit of “speaking ill of everyone.”
“He could be cruel at times,” she added.
Security footage captured the split second the car crashed into the salon, narrowly missing a pedestrian and killing four people inside.
“What I want to say is that I feel very bad about what happened. There is nothing I can do for him. He is not in anyone’s hands. He is in the hands of the courts.”
“It’s not going to see the light of day. It’s over. There’s no way out of this.”
Patrons of the nail bar reacted with horror to the graphic images, with some demanding the driver receive a life sentence.
“I’m so sorry for everything you’ve had to endure,” Christopher Steven wrote. “Keep going, nail salon ladies. Justice will be served.”
“Oh my god this is crazy. They had no chance,” Jenny Lynne wrote.
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