Four dead and nine injured after car crashes through busy Long Island nail salon prompting mass casualty incident

FOUR people are dead and nine have been hospitalized after a car drove through the front of a building in Long Island.

The tragedy unfolded on Friday around 4:42 pm at Hawaii Nail & Spa in Deer Park — about 43 miles from New York City.

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Facebook/Hawaii nail spa

Residents in the area heard swarms of sirens and helicopters racing to the scene.

Ten departments and multiple ambulances arrived to help, according to News 12 Long Island .

Officials acknowledged it was “immediately” a mass casualty when they arrived on scene, per News 12 Long Island.

The minivan drove through the front of the nail salon and almost out the back, according to NBC affiliate WNBC .

The car is still stuck in the back of the building, according to CBS News .

Authorities said everyone is out of the nail salon and no one is trapped, according to CBS News.

Everyone who died were inside the nail salon, authorities said, per ABC affiliate WABC .

Northwell Health confirmed that three victims were sent to South Shore University Hospital , per News 12 Long Island.

The Deer Park Volunteer Fire Department is calling it a “major accident,” according to CBS News.

“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 what not,” said Chief Dominic Albanese, Deer Park Fire Department Assistant Chief, according to WABC.

The driver reportedly suffered a medical emergency, but it has not been confirmed.

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They were taken to the hospital and are partially conscious, according to WABC.

The section of Grand Boulevard where the salon is located is a high-traffic area due to the Tanger Outlets across the street.

People who were shopping in other stores in the center are reportedly stuck in the parking lot.

It is also a busy time of year as it is the weekend before a holiday and it was a Friday afternoon.

My mom saw the car and said it was going super fast like a bullet.

Facebook poster Deer Park community group

The crash is under investigation and no names have been released.

The U.S. Sun has contacted the Suffolk County Police Department and Suffolk County Fire Officials for an update.

‘FAST LIKE A BULLET’

Community members who witnessed the incident and aftermath were left devastated by the crash.

“I’ve been going to them for over 10 years. Praying for everyone,” one resident shared in the Deer Park community group on Facebook .

“My wife just called from the parking lot. She was about to get her nails done when a car drove through the nail salon. They are carrying people out as we speak,” another person wrote.

“My mom saw the car and said it was going super fast like a bullet,” another resident shared.

Another witness at the scene described the moment he heard the crash.

“Sounded like glass shattering,” Eric Perez told Fox News .

WABC

“Like nothing I’ve heard before.”

“I disregarded it at first. It’s Friday, and we live in a crazy world and now the police are rolling out tape.”

One witness said someone saw the car before it crashed.

“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,” Danielle Tanis told WABC.

“They were really really nice. Really nice people,” Teresa Specht told WABC.

“My heart dropped because life is so fragile. Life is so so fragile,” said Valerie Fisher who had a manicure and pedicure at the salon on Thursday per WABC.

‘LUCKY THAT SHE’S ALIVE’

One woman said her 20-year-old niece was hurt during the accident, according to CBS News.

Virginia Garcia said her niece is in a lot of pain and deeply upset.

“The lady that was sitting next to her died. So she was more nervous because when she saw that the other lady died, she was like, God saved her life, basically … She’s lucky that she’s alive, actually,” Garcia told CBS News.

Garcia said her niece might have a few broken bones.

Another customer shared how she always had an appointment at 4:30 pm on Fridays, but switched it this week.

“I don’t even know who’s gone, who’s not gone. I just keep picturing their faces in my head,” Jasmin Darbouze told CBS News.

HAWAII NAIL & SPA

The Deer Park nail salon and spa is open Monday to Saturday 10 pm to 7:30 pm as well as Sunday 10 am to 6 pm.

It offers a range of services for both men and women including manicures and pedicures in both gel and acrylic.

The nail salon and spa also offers waxes and massages.

Customers can choose between multiple spa options including the cucumber spa, blueberry spa, and milk & honey spa.