NEW HYDE PARK, NY — An off-duty New York Police Department officer was among four people killed when a drunk driver plowed into a nail salon who was buried on Long Island last month, was buried Saturday.
Hundreds of people gathered for the funeral at a New Hyde Park funeral home for Emilia Rennhack, including dozens of city police officers, Newsday reported reported.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams, a former police chief, called the 30-year-old Deer Park resident “the best of our city.” He said she emigrated from Poland to pursue the American dream and dedicated her life so others could do the same, the newspaper reported.
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 a cop since 2018 and was stationed at a Queens police station 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 of Queens. Nine others were also injured.
Police said Steven Schwally, 64, was driving at a high rate of speed through the parking lot when he drove his SUV past the front of the salon.
He pleaded not guilty to drunken driving at his arraignment Monday. Bail was set at $1 million cash, $2 million surety or $5 million partially secured bond.
Prosecutors say Schwally told police he had consumed 18 beers the night before the crash and didn’t stop drinking until about 4 a.m. The Marine Corps veteran, who was staying at a local motel at the time of the crash, is due back in court on July 12.