New York, NY – Daniel Hyden, 44, of New Jersey, has been arrested for allegedly crashing his truck into Corlears Hook Park on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, killing three people during Fourth of July celebrations.
The incident occurred around 9 PM on July 4, when Hyden’s F-150 truck reportedly sped down the street, ignored a stop sign, jumped the sidewalk, and crashed through the park’s fence. According to the New York Police Department, four people were trapped under the vehicle and were rescued by first responders. Witnesses detained Hyden, preventing him from leaving the scene.
The victims included Lucille Pinkney, 59, and her 38-year-old son Herman Pinkney. Eleven people were struck by the vehicle, and a third victim, an unidentified woman, also died from the incident.
Hyden faces charges of aggravated vehicular homicide, assault for recklessly causing serious injury with a weapon, driving while intoxicated, and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. Details regarding why Hyden was allegedly unlicensed to drive were not provided by the NYPD.
Hyden, who has a history of arrests, including a February assault charge in New York and a 2015 DUI arrest in Wisconsin, reportedly wrote a book titled “The Sober Addict,” which is described as a guide on living with addiction. He is also listed as a Program Director for three residential treatment programs and an advocate for those impacted by addiction.