DEER PARK, NY – A tragic incident unfolded on Friday afternoon when a driver, allegedly under the influence, crashed his SUV into a nail salon, resulting in the deaths of four individuals and injuries to nine others, according to Suffolk police.
The driver, identified as Steven Schwally, 64, from Dix Hills, drove his 2020 Chevy Traverse into Hawaii Nail & Spa on Grand Boulevard at approximately 4:32 p.m. The salon was bustling with activity at the time of the crash, Suffolk officials reported.
Emergency responders pronounced three women and one man dead at the scene. Nine other individuals were rushed to various hospitals, including Good Samaritan University Hospital in West Islip, South Shore University Hospital in Bay Shore, and Stony Brook University Hospital. Schwally, who sustained non-life-threatening injuries, was also taken to Good Samaritan University Hospital.
The vehicle’s forceful impact trapped several employees and customers inside the salon. Deer Park Third Assistant Chief Dominic Albanese described the chaotic scene, noting that firefighters found four deceased individuals upon arrival. The crash caused extensive damage, with the SUV nearly reaching the back wall of the store.
Schwally has been charged with driving while intoxicated. Authorities are investigating the incident, but the identities of the victims have not yet been released. Witnesses and local residents expressed their shock and sorrow over the tragedy.
Eric Perez, who was nearby at the time, recounted hearing the crash and seeing emergency responders pull victims from the wreckage. Aisha Francis, a local resident, shared her grief, noting she had planned to visit the salon that day but was delayed. Jasmine Darbouze, a regular customer, expressed her distress upon learning about the incident, as she had missed her usual appointment.
The nail salon, situated in a strip mall alongside a Dominican restaurant and a liquor store, now stands as a somber reminder of the fragility of life. The community, including about 150 firefighters and paramedics from nine fire departments, rallied to address the mass-casualty event. The scene drew numerous onlookers, many of whom were visibly emotional.
This incident adds to a concerning pattern of crashes on Long Island, where there have been 1,593 crashes involving buildings and walls from 2018 to 2022, eight of which were fatal, according to the DMV’s Accident Information System database.