The pickup driver who was drunk when he plowed right into a Decrease East Facet park crowded with individuals celebrating the Fourth of July final yr, killing 4 of them, was sentenced to 24 years to life in jail on Friday.
Daniel Hyden, 46 and of New Jersey, was convicted on Nov. 3, 2025 of 4 counts of homicide and 7 assault counts within the July 2024 crash that killed 30-year-old Emily Ruiz, 59-year-old Lucille Pinkney, her 38-year-old son, Herman Pinkney, and 43-year-old Ana Morel. Hyden additionally was convicted of aggravated vehicular murder.
Seven different individuals who had been damage that day in Corleas Hook Park survived their accidents.
“Daniel Hyden has been sentenced to 24 years-to-life in state jail for murdering 4 New Yorkers and severely injuring seven others as they had been having fun with an annual Fourth of July barbecue. Ana Morel, Lucile Pinkney, Herman Pinkney and Emily Ruiz went to the celebration not realizing that Daniel Hyden would finish their lives that day together with his pickup truck,” Manhattan District Lawyer Alvin Bragg stated in a press release. “Whereas this jail sentence is not going to reverse the fatalities, accidents, and trauma, I hope this sentencing brings a measure of consolation for individuals who had been impacted by this mass casualty occasion. If you’re intoxicated, don’t get behind the wheel – it dangers the lives of others, and you can be prosecuted.”
Based on court docket paperwork, Hyden, of Monmouth, was drunk as he drove on Water Road that evening. He sped by means of a cease signal at almost 40 mph, sped by means of a building zone round obstacles and over a sidewalk at speeds as much as 54 mph. Then Hyden drove by means of a sequence hyperlink fence, placing a big crowd of household and associates.
Hyden had absolutely pressed down his gasoline pedal and didn’t hit his brakes till one-half second earlier than the ultimate crash, prosecutors stated. All 4 individuals who died had been trapped beneath the truck. The others had been damage by particles. Hyden tried to reverse and drive off, however witnesses stopped him and took the important thing from the ignition.
They pulled Hyden out of the truck and held him till officers arrived, authorities stated. He was handled for head and facial lacerations, and later charged.
Police investigators consider alcohol performed a job within the July 4 lethal crash.
“Household and associates had been having fun with a Fourth of July barbeque in Corlears Hook Park earlier than their lives had been drastically and tragically modified perpetually,” Manhattan District Lawyer Alvin Bragg stated, partly, in a press release after the convicted as introduced. “Whereas this verdict received’t convey them again to life, I hope that this conviction can convey not less than some measure of consolation for his or her family and friends.”
Based on Hyden’s LinkedIn profile on the time of his arrest, he labored as a program director for 3 residential therapy packages in Manhattan.
In 2020, he printed “The Sober Addict: A Information on How one can Be Purposeful With the Dysfunctional Illness of Dependancy.”
“Inside the pages of DC Hyden’s e-book, addicts, members of the family, enablers, and helpers will discover unconventional methods to fight habit from Onset to Remission,” the e-book’s description on Amazon reads.
Hyden’s bio recognized him as a substance abuse counselor, teacher, public speaker and a wellness advocate, with a mission “to make use of his lifelong expertise with habit to show addicts easy methods to save themselves and obtain long-term restoration.”
Legislation enforcement sources stated Hyden had a previous arrest in February 2024, the place he was picked up for assault after allegedly punching a “fellow instructor” within the eye.
