Steven Schwally, accused of killing four people in June when he crashed into a Long Island nail salon, was unable to take his foot off the accelerator due to a leg injury in his right side, according to his new lawyer.

Schwally faces four counts of second-degree murder in the deaths of NYPD Officer Emilia Rennhack, 30; Jiancai “Kenny” Chen, 37, co-owner of the salon; Yan Xu, salon employee, 41 years old; and salon employee Meizi Zhang, 50. Schwally is accused of driving his SUV to Hawaii Nail & Spa in Deer Park while under the influence.

Attorney Christopher Cassar told the judge during a hearing Wednesday that Schwally had “pins in his leg and ankle.” Cassar said the injury prevented Schwally, 64, from taking his foot off the gas pedal in time.

“We’re looking at all the evidence, all the medical records to see exactly what happened,” Cassar said.

A blood sample from Schwally revealed he had a blood alcohol level of 0.17 percent, more than twice the legal limit.

Schwally, who was previously represented by the Legal Aid Society of Suffolk County, appeared in the courtroom in a wheelchair.

Deputy Suffolk County Prosecutor Alexander Bopp told Suffolk Supreme Court Justice Richard Ambro they still have discovery to make.

Prosecutors said 14 people were inside the nail salon when Schwally allegedly crashed at 75 mph. They also accused Schwally of nearly hitting pedestrians with his car outside the Kohl’s store, across the street from the nail salon.

A trial date has not yet been set. Schwally is being held without bail at the Suffolk County Jail.

Who are the victims?

Rennhack was assigned to the 102nd Precinct in Queens, where her husband is a detective. The two got married in September 2023 and she was having her nails done at the salon for a friend’s wedding.

“The officer dedicated his life to serving and protecting our community with courage, compassion and unwavering commitment. His sacrifice and dedication will never be forgotten,” the 102nd Precinct wrote on Facebook.

Chen co-owned the nail salon. His wife was also seriously injured in the accident.

“My uncle left behind two very young children, a 10 year old and a 5 year old,” Vincent Zheng wrote on a GoFundMe for the family. “With the store completely destroyed and their mother suffering serious back and hip injuries, the family lost their only source of income.”

Xu worked at the salon to support his elderly father and his 12-year-old son, who had polio.

Zhang was a nail technician at the salon. She lived in Flushing, Queens.

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