Ana and Carol Garcia, a mother and daughter injured in the tragic Deer Park nail salon crash, have filed a lawsuit against the alleged drunk driver and the liquor store accused of selling him alcohol. The incident, which occurred on August 1, 2024, at Hawaii Nail and Spa in Deer Park, Long Island, resulted in four deaths and multiple injuries.
The lawsuit, filed on August 13, 2024, names Steven Schwally, 64, of Dix Hills, as the primary defendant. Schwally is accused of driving his minivan into the nail salon while under the influence of alcohol. The Garcias’ legal action also targets Stants Liquors, located next door to the salon, alleging that the store negligently sold alcohol to Schwally before the crash.
According to the lawsuit, Schwally was “careless and negligent” in his actions. The plaintiffs claim that Stants Liquors bears responsibility for selling alcohol to Schwally despite his apparent intoxication. Additionally, the suit names the owner of the shopping complex and the surviving owner of the nail salon as defendants, arguing they failed to install adequate safety barriers in front of the business.
The crash has deeply affected the Deer Park community. Dominick Albanese, Assistant Chief of the Deer Park Fire Department, described the scene as “surreal,” stating, “It seemed like something out of a movie, almost like a bomb went off. Because the broken glass and the water from the foot baths in the nail salon and the smell of acetone. It was really surreal you know, nothing we’ve ever experienced before.”
Prosecutors allege that Schwally consumed 18 beers before the incident. He has been charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI) and faces potential additional charges as the investigation continues.
This lawsuit is not the only legal action stemming from the tragedy. Another survivor, a 54-year-old woman from Dix Hills who was receiving a pedicure at the time of the crash, has also filed a separate lawsuit against similar defendants.
In response to the heroic efforts of first responders, the Town of Babylon is planning to honor approximately 80 individuals who assisted during the incident. A ceremony is scheduled for August 14, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. at the Deer Park Fire Department.
As the community continues to grapple with the aftermath of this tragedy, these legal actions highlight the complex issues surrounding drunk driving, business liability, and public safety. The outcome of these lawsuits could have significant implications for future safety measures in commercial areas and the responsibilities of alcohol vendors.
Citations:
[1] https://westchester.news12.com/mother-daughter-injured-in-deer-park-nail-salon-crash-sue-driver-and-liquor-store
[2] https://www.newsday.com/long-island/suffolk/hawaii-nail-and-spa-deer-park-steven-schwally-drunken-driving-crash-ln0k5h4b
[3] https://www.yahoo.com/news/victim-deer-park-nail-salon-214415980.html
[4] https://www.varcadoronapolivillage.it/news-update/5ac7616Pcpce52/
[5] https://abc7ny.com/post/deer-park-deadly-nail-salon-crash-survivor-files-lawsuit-multiple-businesses/15178341/
[6] https://greaterlongisland.com/driver-others-sued-in-fatal-deer-park-nail-salon-crash-report/
[7] https://twitter.com/News12LI/status/1823367663340412993
Last modified: June 20, 2025
