4 Lost To DWI Nail Salon Crash Mourned At Vigil: 'Love Each Other'

DEER PARK, NY — Hundreds gathered Monday evening to mourn the tragedy that struck Long Island on Friday afternoon when a drunk driver plowed his SUV through Hawaii Nail & Spa in Deer Park, killing 4 unsuspecting people and hospitalizing nine others with serious injuries, police said.

The Deer Park community came together to honor those lost in the mass casualty, including NYPD officer Emilia Rennhack, 30, of Deer Park, Jiancai Chen, 37, of Bayside, Queens, Yan Xu, 41, of Flushing, Queens, and Meizi Zhang, 50, of Flushing, Queens — the four people who were killed when the Chevrolet Traverse crashed into the nail salon.

They also sent strength and healing to the nine survivors currently hospitalized for serious but not life-threatening injuries including Nicole Miele, 54, of Dix Hills, Ana Garcia, 53, of Bay Shore, Wen Jun Cheng, 35, of Bayside, Queens, and Michael Mehale, 58, of Deer Park, Carol Garcia, 23, of Bay Shore, Toni Saccente, 32, of West Islip, Krystal Rodriguez, 37, of Bay Shore, Nicole Saccente, 55, from Cape Coral, Florida, and a 12-year-old girl whose identity is being withheld, police said.

According to Suffolk County police, Steven Schwally, 64, of Dix Hills was drunk when he drove an SUV at high speed across the road and through the parking lot, where he crashed the vehicle into the nail salon.

Grieving members of the Deer Park community placed flowers and photos in front of the demolished, and now boarded-up nail salon.

Rennhack's husband, NYPD Detective Carl Rennhack, attended the vigil with the support of friends and family who stood close to him as his tears flowed.

Detective Rennhack struggled to find the words to honor his wife when Patch spoke with him. He was too distraught to speak through his tears.

Town officials, including Senator Monica Martinez and Babylon Town Supervisor Rich Schaffer, spoke to the crowd, offering words of encouragement.

While Schaffer assured the crowd that "justice will be served" to ensure that the victims "didn't die in vain" because of Schwally—who, according to reports—consumed around 18 beers the night before the crash, he also shared a message of positivity.

"This tragic situation shows how life can change in the blink of an eye," Schaffer said. "It's important to take time out to hug your neighbor and say a good word to people around you. There's so much animosity in the world. Make sure to tell your people you love them, just love each other. Life is too short."

Eventually, tears flowed as white flames fought to remain strong in the fading daylight as a warm breeze blew through the crowd. Mourners, many who knew the victims and many who didn't, shared hugs and kind words with each other.

"Deer Park is a really close-knit community and I think when tragedies like this happen people int the community are there for each other," said Deer Park resident Maryanne Doublet. "It's a beautiful thing."

Funeral arrangements have been set for Officer Rennhack, according to the NYC PBA. Visitation will take place Friday, July 5 from 2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the New Hyde Park Funeral Home, located at 506 Lakeville Road in New Hyde Park. A funeral service will take place on Saturday, July 6 at noon, at the New Hyde Park Funeral Home.