Drunk Driver Found Guilty On Murder Charges In July 4th NYC Crash: DA

NEW YORK CITY —A drunk driver who ran a stop sign and drove into a Manhattan park on the 4th of July last year, killing four people, was found guilty on four counts of second-degree murder on Monday.

Daniel Hyden, 44, South Brunswick, NJ, is accused of speeding in his Ford F-150 pickup truck and running a stop sign at the Water Street and Jackson Street intersection on July 4, 2024, prosecutors said.

In addition, to killing four people, he left 7 others injured, authorities said.

Hyden was also found guilty on one count of aggravated vehicular homicide and a slew of assault charges.

The defendant was driving at about 40 mph before he struck the victims. He fully pressed down his gas pedal and did not hit his brakes until one-half second before the final crash, prosecutors said.

When the truck finally came to a rest, trapping four people underneath, Hyden attempted to flee by placing the truck in reverse to continue driving, only to be stopped by witnesses who removed the key from the ignition, prosecutors said.

Lucille Pinkney, Herman Pinkney, and Ana Morel were pronounced dead at the scene. Emily Ruiz was pronounced dead five days later.

“Family and friends were enjoying a Fourth of July barbecue in Corlears Hook Park before their lives were drastically and tragically changed forever. Daniel Hyden was intoxicated when he drove through a fence, killing Lucille Pinkney, Herman Pinkney, Ana Morel, and Emily Ruiz, as well as injuring seven others,” District Attorney Alvin Bragg said. "The court found him guilty of numerous crimes for this horrific act of vehicular violence, including four counts of Murder in the Second Degree. 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.”

Hyden is expected to be sentenced on December 3.