The murder trial of Steven Schwally, accused in the deadly Deer Park nail salon crash that occurred on June 28, 2024, entered its final stages with closing statements delivered on Tuesday. The prosecution had rested its case on Monday evening, and the defense opted not to call any witnesses. Supreme Court Justice Richard Ambro was scheduled to charge the jury on Wednesday morning, with deliberations expected to commence later that day. Schwally, 66, faces four counts of second-degree murder and other crimes, to which he has pleaded not guilty. He previously rejected plea offers of 22 years to life and could face up to 25 years to life if convicted.

During closing arguments, Vehicular Crimes Bureau Chief Carl Borelli, for the prosecution, asserted that Schwally had consumed alcohol and driven around Deer Park for several hours before intentionally crashing his 2020 Chevrolet Traverse into the crowded Hawaii Nail & Salon. Borelli emphasized that Schwally showed no remorse for the four people killed, dismissing defense claims of a leg disability preventing him from removing his foot from the gas pedal. Evidence presented included an event data recorder showing Schwally was able to accelerate and decelerate before the crash, and that he was driving 78 mph right before impact with a blood alcohol content of 0.17%, more than double the legal limit. Borelli described the incident as no accident, stating Schwally "put the pedal to the metal and floored it," causing the vehicle to go airborne before crashing, with brakes only applied post-impact. Prosecutors noted that Schwally never inquired about the dead or injured even as first responders extracted him from the wreckage.

In contrast, defense attorney Christopher Cassar of Huntington argued that prosecutors failed to prove Schwally's intoxication. While acknowledging the tragic nature of the crash, Cassar used surveillance video, shown by Suffolk prosecutors throughout the trial, to suggest Schwally was not impaired. Video footage from a Commack Motor Inn showed Schwally driving slowly and deliberately, like "an old man," and other videos from a convenience store and liquor store where he purchased Long Island iced tea showed no signs of swaying or impairment. Cassar also criticized the government for not addressing Schwally’s documented history of hip problems and other medical issues, insisting the burden of proof lay with the prosecution. Furthermore, Cassar contended that the blood-drawing process was tainted, alleging that authorities avoided an initial sample taken after Schwally passed a field sobriety test, instead using blood drawn at Good Samaritan University Hospital which he claimed was contaminated by police officers.

The crash tragically claimed the lives of owner Jian Chai Chen, 37, of Bayside, Queens; employees Yan Xu, 41, and Mei Zi Zhang, 50, both of Flushing, Queens; and off-duty NYPD Officer Emilia Rennhack, 30, of Deer Park. Nine other individuals sustained injuries. The courtroom was packed with law-enforcement personnel, including uniformed NYPD officers, supporting Rennhack's family during the closing arguments and awaiting the verdict. Rennhack’s husband, NYPD Det. Carl Rennhack, and other family members have been constant presences throughout the trial.

On Wednesday, the jury in Riverhead began deliberations but failed to reach a verdict after approximately 5½ hours. Justice Richard Ambro ordered them to return on Thursday morning to continue. During their deliberations, jurors sent three notes to Justice Ambro. The first requested a reread of the second-degree murder and manslaughter charges. The second sought a definition of "depraved indifference." The third asked to review testimony from Suffolk police detective Brian Whitehead, who had interviewed Schwally after the fatal crash. Justice Ambro confirmed a court reporter would read back the testimony when deliberations resumed. Schwally, who suffered a heart attack late last month, has not been present in court since and is not expected to return for the verdict's delivery.