Driver found guilty on all charges in fatal Deer Park nail salon crash
Authorities say Steven Schwally was speeding at over 78 mph when he barreled into a nail salon two years ago.
More Stories
The man accused of driving drunk and killing multiple people in a Deer Park crash was found guilty of murder and several other charges on Thursday.
Authorities say Steven Schwally was speeding at over 78 mph when he barreled into a nail salon two years ago. Four victims died and nine others were injured.
According to prosecutors, Schwally had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.17, more than twice New York's legal limit for driving.
"We're very thankful for the jury's verdict today. They ratified the fact that this was not an accident. This was a crime. Sadly, it's the crime that cost four people their lives," says Chief Assistant District Attorney Allen Bode.
"This individual made every bad and reckless choice he could. He decided to drink alcohol all day and get behind the wheel of the car," says New York City Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Hendry.
During the trial, the defense claimed that the crash was not caused by intoxication. Schwally’s attorney argued that his leg allegedly locked up while he was driving, causing him to lose control of the vehicle.
The defense also challenged the prosecution’s evidence regarding his blood alcohol level.
Schwally's attorney says his client passed a field sobriety test administered by a highway officer at the scene and claimed that blood test evidence used by prosecutors was mishandled.
Schwally was not in the courtroom on Thursday because he was hospitalized during the trial after having a heart attack, according to his attorney.
Jurors heard a readback of testimony from a detective and then had a verdict about an hour later. Many people were emotional as the verdict was read to the packed courtroom.
"We're very disappointed with the verdict, especially on the murder counts," says Schwally's defense attorney Christopher Cassar. "He had the heart attack because of the testimony. He had the heart attack because of the lies that he heard in that courtroom about him."
Schwally will be sentenced on Aug. 12.
RELATED: Eyewitness in Steven Schwally trial says she's never seen a car go that fast
