Daniel Hyden, 46, a substance abuse counselor, was sentenced to 24 years to life after a July 4, 2024 drunk‑driving crash at Corlears Hook Park that killed four people and injured seven. He was convicted at a November 2025 bench trial on multiple counts, including second‑degree murder and aggravated vehicular homicide. Prosecutors emphasized his sobriety work and authorship of a sobriety book as evidence he knew the risks. Victims' families spoke in court, and the Manhattan DA warned against driving while intoxicated.
Substance Abuse Counselor Sentenced To 24 Years‑To‑Life After Drunk‑Driving Rampage Killed Four At NYC Park
Eyewitness News ABC7NY/YouTubeDaniel Hyden
Daniel Hyden, 46, a former substance abuse counselor, was sentenced to 24 years to life in prison after a drunken driving crash on July 4, 2024, that killed four people and injured seven at Corlears Hook Park in Manhattan. The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office announced the sentence on Jan. 16 following a November 2025 conviction on multiple counts related to the deadly collision.
Crash Details
Prosecutors said Hyden drove his pickup truck through a Lower East Side construction zone, ran a stop sign and reached speeds up to 54 mph—about double the typical 25 mph limit—before crashing through a chain‑link fence and plowing into a crowd at Corlears Hook Park. Investigators reported he did not apply his brakes until roughly one‑half second before impact. Four people were trapped beneath the truck and seven others were struck or injured by debris.
GofundmeFrom left: Herman Pinkney and Lucille Pinkney
Conviction And Sentence
At a November 2025 bench trial, Hyden was convicted of 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. A judge imposed a sentence of 24 years to life in prison. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg Jr. said the sentence cannot undo the harm but hoped it would bring some comfort to those affected.
"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," the DA said in the office's announcement. "If you are intoxicated, do not get behind the wheel — it risks the lives of others, and you will be prosecuted."
Victims And Reactions
The victims who died were identified as Lucille Pinkney, 59; Herman Pinkney, 38; Ana Morel, 43; and Emily Ruiz, 30, who died five days after the crash. Relatives and friends addressed the court during the sentencing. A family member of the Pinkneys said Hyden made a conscious choice to drink and drive despite the known risks. Online fundraisers and GoFundMe pages set up for the victims and injured survivors described the losses and ongoing needs of families.
GofundmeEmily Ruiz
Defense, Background And Evidence
Prosecutors highlighted Hyden’s professional background as a substance abuse counselor and the author of a sobriety memoir titled The Sober Addict, citing his awareness of alcohol risks. According to news reports, Hyden told investigators he had broken his sobriety after his sister was killed by a drunk driver in New Jersey in 2021 and had been preparing to speak at that driver’s sentencing. Police body‑camera footage presented at trial also showed Hyden being denied entry to a boat party earlier that night because he appeared too intoxicated.
Defendant's Statement
During the sentencing hearing Hyden apologized and described the collision as an "accident," saying he was still processing how deeply disturbed and hurt he remained and acknowledging the people he had harmed.
This tragedy and the resulting sentence underscore the lethal consequences of driving while intoxicated and the legal accountability that can follow.
Help us improve.
