Four people were killed and nine were injured when a minivan crashed into a nail salon on Long Island.
Officials say the minivan drove all the way through the strip mall business, Hawaii Nail and Spa, at 796 Grand Blvd. in Deer Park on Friday around 4:30 p.m. report from ABC7.
“It’s horrible, it’s going to be tough for the community…tough for the volunteer fire department, but we’re going to get through it…just a horrible thing to see especially at this time of the year with all the good things happening, graduations and whatnot,” said Deer Park Fire Department Assistant Chief Dominic Albanese.
There is a gaping hole outside of Hawaii Nail and Spa – inside, there are mangled pedicure chairs.
“Yesterday I did my nails. Look, yesterday I did my manicure and pedicure,” said customer Valerie Fisher.
Assistant Chief Albanese said there were people trapped inside the salon.
“We extricated them and transported them to area hospitals,” he said.
The driver was taken to the hospital and was partially conscious. told by CBS News.
“Somebody saw that the man was driving and he came from this parking lot from Kohl’s and he was trying to pass somebody, and then they pretty much ran right into the nail salon and you could hear people screaming and yelling,” said Danielle Tanis.
Outside, police were talking to possible witnesses.
There is pain and devastation among the surviving friends and relatives. One man identified himself as the nail salon owner’s brother. He says his sister was married to the other owner, a couple that customers say they love.
“They were really really nice. Really nice people,” said Teresa Specht.
All four people who were killed were inside the salon.
“My heart dropped because life is so fragile. Life is so so fragile,” added Fisher.
The victims’ names have not yet been released.
There is no word on what exactly caused the driver to lose control and crash.
