4 killed, 9 injured after vehicle crashes into Long Island nail salon
Four people were killed and nine others were injured after a minivan crashed into a Long Island, New York, nail salon Friday afternoon.
The vehicle slammed into Hawaii Nail & Spa on Grand Boulevard in Deer Park shortly before 5 p.m.
A witness told NBC New York that the van plowed through the front of the business and almost came out through the back of the salon.
All of those killed or injured were inside the salon at the time, according to Lt. Kevin Heissenbuttel. Some people were trapped in the salon and had to be extricated by emergency services, he said.
A witness said the vehicle had been racing through a parking lot across the street before crashing and "seemingly in a rush," NBC New York reported, adding that others said the van was trying to get around another vehicle when it drove into the building.
The van was seen racing though a parking lot across the street, NBC New York reported. A witness said it was trying to pass another vehicle when it drove into the building, the station reported.
Photos from the scene showed a gaping hole in the storefront.
The Associated Press reported that a witness said he heard a speeding car and then a “shattering” noise.
“It was a sound that I never heard before,” he said.
The vehicle's driver was among the injured and transported to a hospital.
The Deer Park Fire Department chief said it was not clear what caused the vehicle to crash into the business.
About 150 firefighters and EMS personnel responded to the scene.
Raquel Coronell Uribe
Raquel Coronell Uribe is a breaking news reporter.
The Associated Press contributed.