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Drunk Driver Convicted of Murdering 4 at NYC July 4th Celebration
5 Nov
Summary
- Drunk driver Daniel Hyden convicted of 4 counts of second-degree murder
- Hyden crashed into crowd at NYC park, killing 4 and injuring 7 others
- Hyden was a substance abuse counselor who wrote a book about sobriety
On July 4, 2024, a tragic incident occurred in New York City's Corlears Hook Park, where a crowd was celebrating the holiday. Daniel Hyden, a 46-year-old substance abuse counselor and author of the book "The Sober Addict," was driving under the influence of alcohol when his Ford F-150 pickup truck crashed into the crowd.
Prosecutors stated that Hyden was driving at speeds up to 54 mph, ran through a stop sign, and did not hit the brakes until half a second before the final impact. The crash resulted in the deaths of four people: Lucille Pinkney, 59, Herman Pinkney, 38, Ana Morel, 43, and Emily Ruiz, 30. Seven others were also struck and injured by the truck or debris.
On November 3, 2025, Hyden was convicted of four counts of second-degree murder, one count of aggravated vehicular homicide, four counts of second-degree assault, and three counts of third-degree assault. This conviction comes as a shock, given Hyden's background as a substance abuse counselor and author who had written about the dangers of driving while intoxicated.
The victims' loved ones have expressed their grief and devastation over the tragic loss of life. The community is now grappling with the aftermath of this senseless act, and the conviction of Hyden serves as a somber reminder of the consequences of drunk driving.
