Tragedy struck at a Fourth of July celebration in New York City when a suspected drunk driver crashed his truck into a park crowd, killing three and injuring eight. The driver, identified as Daniel Hyden, a wellness advocate and substance abuse counselor, was speeding in his Ford F-150 pickup truck when he ran a stop sign and plowed into the group at Corlears Hook Park in the Lower East Side.
Among the deceased are Lucille Pinkney, 59, her son Hernan Pinkney, 38, and an unidentified female. Eight others, including an 11-year-old child, were injured. Hyden has been charged with three counts of driving while intoxicated and is expected to face additional charges. The suspect, who claims to be an “ex-professional addict,” had authored a book in 2020 titled “The Sober Addict,” offering guidance on functional living with addiction.
Video footage from the scene shows the front of the truck smashed, surrounded by debris and park benches. New York City Mayor Eric Adams described the incident as a tragic accident and assured that it was not terror-related. The victims, who were simply celebrating, were caught off guard by the horrific event.
Hyden’s criminal record includes a prior assault charge and a DUI in Wisconsin in 2015. The FDNY used airbags and floor jacks to lift the truck off the victims when they arrived at the scene. The suspect was perp walked out of the police precinct amidst heckling from New Yorkers and relatives of the victims.
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