An off-duty New York City police officer getting her nails done was among four victims killed Friday when an SUV crashed into a nail salon on Long Island.
Emilia Rennhack was an officer with 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 its “hearts are broken” by Rennhack’s death.
“Please join us in praying for her family, friends and colleagues,” 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 windshield, Suffolk County police said.
A witness told NBC New York that the SUV drove through the front of the salon and almost exited through the back of the store. All of the dead and injured were in the salon at the time, Lt. Kevin Heissenbuttel said.
The driver, Steven Schwally, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, police said Saturday. Authorities allege he was driving a Chevy Traverse south through a parking lot at a high rate of speed when he crossed Grand Boulevard and continued through the nail salon parking lot before crashing through the window.
A man and three women, including Rennhack, died at the scene. Nine others were injured. The remaining victims have not been identified by officials.
One witness said the SUV appeared to race across the street from the parking lot before crashing, NBC New York reported. The witness said the driver “appeared to be in a hurry” and tried to avoid another vehicle as it drove into the building.
Another witness said he heard a speeding car, followed by a “crushing” sound, The Associated Press reported.
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
