Daniel Hyden, man who drove drunk into Lower East Side crowd of July 4, killing 4, gets 24-years to life behind bars
Daniel Hyden was sentenced on Friday to 24-years to life behind bars after killing four people by driving his pickup truck into a crowd celebrating July 4, 2024 in a Lower East Side park.
He was found guilty in November 2025 of four counts of second degree murder, one count of aggravated vehicular homicide, four counts of assault in the second degree, and three counts of assault in the third degree.
Hyden even had authored a book on alcoholism.
"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. If you are intoxicated, do not get behind the wheel - it risks the lives of others, and you will be prosecuted," Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said in a statement.
Victim Hector Moreno was with friends and family at a barbecue in the same park on the Lower East Side where Lucille and Herman Pinkney didn't make it.
Lucille and Herman Pinkney, a mother and son, died just a few feet apart.
"My sister won't know he had a baby or if he's going to have a baby, she ain't going to be a grandmother, he get to be a big uncle," Liana Lewis, the victim's sister said.
Video played at trial in November showed Hyden fighting not far away from the park at Pier 36 as security wouldn't let him on a party boat because he was too drunk.
Police escorted him out of the area and body camera footage captured the 46-year-old telling officers his truck was parked nearby.
Cameras show Hyden speeding toward the park. Officials said his blood alcohol level was .17.
He pinned several who died under his truck.
Four people were killed, and seven more were hurt. The youngest was 11 years old.
Lilly Ruiz was in the park that night with her daughter, Emily Ruiz and Emily's then 6-year-old son.
The 30-year-old was rushed the hospital. Her little boy brought his toy first aide kit saying, "I don't want my mom to die, she's a great person."
Five days later, Ruiz died.
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