Charles Hanover:Off-duty NYPD officer who was among 4 killed when drunk driver crashed into nail salon laid to rest

2025-05-03 00:34:50source:Surfwincategory:News

NEW HYDE PARK,Charles Hanover N.Y. (AP) — An off-duty New York Police Department officer who was among four killed when a drunk driver plowed into a nail salon on Long Island last month was laid to rest Saturday.

Hundreds gathered for the funeral at a funeral home in New Hyde Park for Emilia Rennhack, including scores of officers from the city police force, Newsday reported.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams, a former police captain, called the 30-year-old Deer Park resident “the best of our city,” saying she had immigrated from Poland to pursue the American dream and dedicated her life so others could do the same, the newspaper reports.

Her husband, Carl Rennhack remembered her as a “pillar” of the community and lamented that the couple had “so many more plans” for their future.

Rennhack had been on the police force since 2018 and was stationed at a precinct in Queens, where her husband also worked as a detective. She was the only customer killed in the June 28 crash at the Hawaii Nail & Spa in Deer Park.

The other victims were salon co-owner Jiancai Chen, 37, and employees Yan Xu, 41, and Meizi Zhang, 50, all from Queens. Nine others were also injured.

RELATED COVERAGE 2 teenagers die while swimming at New York’s Coney Island Beach, police sayGeorgia election workers who won $148M judgment against Giuliani want his bankruptcy case thrown outGiuliani is disbarred in New York as court finds he repeatedly lied about Trump’s 2020 election loss

Police said Steven Schwally, 64, had been speeding through the parking lot when he drove his SUV through the front of the salon.

He pleaded not guilty to driving while intoxicated at his arraignment Monday. Bail was set at $1 million cash, $2 million bond or $5 million partially secured bond.

Prosecutors say Schwally told police he drank 18 beers the night before the crash and didn’t stop drinking until about 4 a.m. The Marine Corps veteran, who has been living at local motel at the time of the crash, is due back in court July 12.

More:News

Recommend

NFL playoff predictions to win AFC championship, NFC championship, Super Bowl 59

The 2024 NFL regular season is entering the final four weeks of action, and teams are beginning to s

St. Petersburg seeks profile boost as new Tampa Bay Rays ballpark negotiations continue

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Officials in the city of St. Petersburg, Florida, want to make it clear

After exit of Claudine Gay, Bill Ackman paints bull's-eye on diversity programs

Billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman, a ringleader in the campaign to oust former Harvard Univ