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Man Charged in Stratford Nail Salon Crash

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A 46-year-old Stratford man who crashed into a nail salon on Friday, sending nine people to the hospital, has been charged with operating under the influence.

Police have identified the driver as Dennis Leach and said he has been released from custody after posting $50,000 bond.

Leach was driving an SUV that crashed into Pretty Nails, at 411 Barnum Avenue Cutoff, around 4 p.m. on Friday.

Emergency responders rushed nine people to the hospital, including Leach and a child who was in the passenger seat.

"When the car came in, I was just doing my job and I just heard 'pong,'" said Kai Tan, who was in the middle to doing a manicure at Pretty Nails on Friday afternoon. "I turned around and saw a car over there and I just ran out."

Stratford said one of the nine victims had a serious injury.

A woman at the hair salon next door described the noise as like glass dominoes falling down. The crash knocked some of their products off the shelf but structurally, their place is fine.

Some of the victims shoes were all that remained as some Stratford residents stopped by the scene to watch the cleanup.

"This is horrific. This is terrible," said Sonja Smallwood, who was running late to her appointment. "Yes thank God. Usually I like to come a few minutes early."

Kari Webb usually takes her 92-year-old client to get her nails done every Friday.

"We didn’t want to come out because of the weather," Webb said. "I’m glad we didn’t come out. My God, I’m shocked. So sad. You can’t take life for granted."

The Stratford Police Department is investigating. The victims were taken to St. Vincent's and Bridgeport hospitals.

Inspectors said the nail salon is structurally sound, but there is no word on when it could reopen.

Leach was charged with operation while under the influence, risk of injury to a minor, four counts of second-degree assault with a motor vehicle and five counts of third-degree assault. 

If anyone has information concerning the crash, call the Stratford Police Department at 203-385-4158/4159.



Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com

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