Jury deliberating in deadly nail salon crash trial in Riverhead

RIVERHEAD, Long Island (WABC) -- The fate of a driver on trial for murder after a deadly nail salon crash on Long Island now rests in the hands of the jury.

Prosecutors say Steven Schwally was highly intoxicated when his car smashed into the building two years ago in Riverhead.

Four people were killed.

Schwally is facing a 30-count indictment, including 4 counts of murder in the second degree.

The jury has been deliberating since 11:30 Wednesday morning and have requested additional clarification on the charges twice throughout the day.

Schwally has not been in the courtroom because he had a heart attack more than a week ago, according to his attorney.

The deadly deer park nail salon crash happened in June of 2024.

Surveillance video captured the terrifying moments when prosecutors say Schwally's Chevy Traverse plowed through the front glass doors of the Hawaii Nail Spa at 78 miles an hour as employees and customers sat inside.

Four people were killed, including the owner of the salon Ken Chen, two employees, Yan Xu and Meizi Zhang, and Emilia Rennack, a 34-year-old off-duty NYPD officer.

The four bodies of the deceased were stuck under the SUV. Nine others had injuries from the crash.

Prosecutors say Schwally's speech was slurred, eyes were bloodshot and his breath smelled of alcohol at the time of his arrest. Video shows him allegedly buying alcohol hours before the crash.

The 66-year-old's blood alcohol content was .17, according to prosecutors, which is more than twice the legal limit.

Deliberations will continue on Thursday.

If convicted on the top charges, he faces 25 years to life in prison.

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