Sobriety Counselor Who Drunkenly Killed 4 and Injured 7 Learns His Fate

The drunk driver who tore through a packed New York City park on the Fourth of July — killing four people and injuring seven others — has now learned how long he’ll spend behind bars.

Daniel Hyden, 46, was sentenced to 24 years to life in prison for the deadly 2024 crash, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office announced Friday, January 16.

Hyden was convicted in November 2025 following a bench trial on four counts of second-degree murder, four counts of second-degree assault, three counts of third-degree assault, and one count of aggravated vehicular homicide.

Prosecutors said the carnage unfolded on July 4, 2024, when Hyden — intoxicated at the time — ran a stop sign and sped through a construction zone in Manhattan’s Lower East Side at speeds reaching 54 mph, nearly double the city’s 25 mph speed limit. He then smashed through a chain-link fence and plowed straight into a crowd gathered at Corlears Hook Park.

According to prosecutors, Hyden had his gas pedal fully pressed and didn’t hit the brakes until just half a second before impact. Four victims were trapped beneath his pickup truck, while seven others were struck by the vehicle or flying debris.

Lucille Pinkney, 59, Herman Pinkney, 38, and Ana Morel, 43, were pronounced dead at the scene. A fourth victim, Emily Ruiz, 30, died five days later from her injuries.

Adding to the shock of the case, Hyden previously worked as a substance abuse counselor and authored a book on sobriety titled The Sober Addict, according to his professional background. Prosecutors highlighted that history during trial, arguing it showed he was fully aware of the dangers of driving while intoxicated.

According to ABC News, Hyden claimed he had relapsed after his sister was killed by a drunk driver in New Jersey in 2021. At the time of the July 2024 crash, he was reportedly preparing to speak at that driver’s sentencing.

Police body camera footage later revealed Hyden had been denied entry to a boat party earlier that night because he was too intoxicated, according to CBS News.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg Jr. said the sentence sends a clear message.

“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,” Bragg said. “If you are intoxicated, do not get behind the wheel — it risks the lives of others, and you will be prosecuted.”

Inside and outside the courtroom, grief-stricken loved ones shared emotional statements.

A relative of Lucille and Herman Pinkney told the court Hyden made a conscious and reckless choice. “Daniel made the conscious choice to drink and drive, fully aware of the risk,” Starkema Lewis said. “Fully aware of the devastation it would cause.”

Fundraisers for the victims revealed the deep ripple effects of the crash. Herman Pinkney was survived by his wife and young son, both of whom were also injured. Emily Ruiz, a mother to a 6-year-old boy, was remembered by loved ones as having a loving nature and a sincere heart.

Ruiz’s best friend Halena Herrera told ABC News the sentence doesn’t erase the pain but brings a sense of closure. “It doesn’t bring anything back, but it’s good to have it over with,” she said.

During his sentencing hearing, Hyden apologized to the victims’ families and referred to the crash as an accident, saying he is still processing the harm he caused.

“I’m processing how deeply disturbed and deeply hurt I was and still am,” he told the court. “And I’m still processing the amount of people I hurt with my actions.”