BABYLON, N.Y. – At least 4 folks have been killed and one other 9 injured when a driver crashed a minivan by way of the entrance of a nail salon on Long Island, New York, Friday afternoon, officers mentioned. 

The incident occurred at 4:42 p.m. native time on the Hawaii Nail & Spa on Grand Avenue in Deer Park in Suffolk County.

Dominic Albanese, third assistant chief for the Deer Park Volunteer Fire Department, mentioned in a information briefing that 4 folks have been pronounced lifeless on the scene and 9 have been rushed to space hospitals, one among whom was airlifted by helicopter. Several folks needed to be extricated, Albanese mentioned. 

“It appears a motorist drove through the building, all the way through the building,” Albanese mentioned.

The driver was amongst these hospitalized. The situations of the injured victims was unknown. 

Those killed in the crash have been contained in the constructing, Albanese mentioned. No names have been launched.   

The minivan remained lodged deep in the again of the salon for hours, and 150 firefighters and emergency responders have been on scene, Albanese mentioned. 

The reason behind the crash is beneath investigation.

Nail salon prospects amongst 9 injured victims

At least two of the injured victims have been prospects on the nail salon.

Virginia Garcia advised CBS New York her 20-year-old niece is amongst these harm. Garcia says her niece is in loads of ache and intensely emotional after the incident.

“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 mentioned.

She says her niece almost definitely has some damaged bones.

One buyer who often has a standing 4:30 p.m. appointment on Fridays occurred to change days this week. She confirmed up after listening to the information.

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

Witnesses say driver was swerving round automobiles earlier than crash

Witnesses say the driving force was leaving the Kohl’s parking zone throughout the road, swerving round automobiles, earlier than shedding management and careening into the nail salon.

(*9*) witness Eric Perez mentioned.

A chaplain arrived on the scene Friday afternoon, providing a listening ear to victims’ households in addition to emergency responders.

“If someone wants to speak, if someone wants just to have our presence here, that’s what we come out for,” mentioned Andrea Sampson, with the New York State Chaplain Task Force.

“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,” Albanese mentioned.