The pickup driver who was drunk when he plowed into a Lower East Side park crowded with people celebrating the Fourth of July last year, killing four of them, was sentenced to 24 years to life in prison on Friday.
Daniel Hyden, 46 and of New Jersey, was convicted on Nov. 3, 2025 of four counts of murder and seven assault counts in 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 also was convicted of aggravated vehicular homicide.
Seven other people who were hurt that day in Corleas Hook Park survived their injuries.
“Daniel Hyden has been sentenced to 24 years-to-life in state prison for murdering four New Yorkers and severely injuring seven others as they were enjoying an annual Fourth of July barbecue. Ana Morel, Lucile Pinkney, Herman Pinkney and Emily Ruiz went to the celebration not knowing that Daniel Hyden would end their lives that day with his pickup truck,” Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said in a statement. “While this prison sentence will not reverse the fatalities, injuries, and trauma, I hope this sentencing brings a measure of comfort for those who were impacted by this mass casualty event. If you are intoxicated, do not get behind the wheel – it risks the lives of others, and you will be prosecuted.”
According to court documents, Hyden, of Monmouth, was drunk as he drove on Water Street that night. He sped through a stop sign at nearly 40 mph, sped through a construction zone around barriers and over a sidewalk at speeds up to 54 mph. Then Hyden drove through a chain link fence, striking a large crowd of family and friends.
Hyden had fully pressed down his gas pedal and did not hit his brakes until one-half second before the final crash, prosecutors said. All four people who died were trapped underneath the truck. The others were hurt by debris. Hyden tried to reverse and drive off, but witnesses stopped him and took the key from the ignition.
They pulled Hyden out of the truck and held him until officers arrived, authorities said. He was treated for head and facial lacerations, and later charged.
“Family and friends were enjoying a Fourth of July barbeque in Corlears Hook Park before their lives were drastically and tragically changed forever,” Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said, in part, in a statement after the convicted as announced. “While this verdict won’t bring them back to life, I hope that this conviction can bring at least some measure of comfort for their friends and family.”
According to Hyden’s LinkedIn profile at the time of his arrest, he worked as a program director for three residential treatment programs in Manhattan.
In 2020, he published “The Sober Addict: A Guide on How to Be Functional With the Dysfunctional Disease of Addiction.”
“Within the pages of DC Hyden’s book, addicts, family members, enablers, and helpers will find unconventional ways to combat addiction from Onset to Remission,” the book’s description on Amazon reads.
Hyden’s bio identified him as a substance abuse counselor, instructor, public speaker and a wellness advocate, with a mission “to use his lifelong experience with addiction to teach addicts how to save themselves and achieve long-term recovery.”
Law enforcement sources said Hyden had a prior arrest in February 2024, where he was picked up for assault after allegedly punching a “fellow teacher” in the eye.
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