Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg Jr. today announced the indictment of DANIEL HYDEN, 44, for driving while intoxicated and crashing into a crowd of people celebrating the Fourth of July in Corlears Hook Park, killing four people, and injuring seven others. HYDEN is charged in a New York State Supreme Court Indictment with four counts of Murder in the Second Degree, one count of Aggravated Vehicular Homicide, four counts of Assault in the Second Degree, and three count of Assault in the Third Degree [1]. 

“As alleged, Daniel Hyden was driving while intoxicated when he plowed through a group of friends and family celebrating the Fourth of July in Corlears Hook Park. This alleged act tragically cut the lives of Lucille Pinkney, Herman Pinkney, Emily Ruiz, and Ana Morel short and severely injured seven others,” said District Attorney Bragg. “My thoughts are with the families of those whose lives were lost, the injured victims, and the tight-knit community, all of whom are reeling from the effects of this horrifying and senseless tragedy.” 

According to court documents and statements made on the record in court, on July 4, 2024, at approximately 8:52 p.m., HYDEN was allegedly driving his Ford F-150 pickup truck northbound on Water Street while intoxicated. He accelerated through a stop sign at 39 Miles Per Hour (“MPH”), sped through a construction zone while navigating various construction barriers, and over a sidewalk at speeds up to 54 MPH. He continued to drive through a chain link fence, striking a large crowd of family and friends who were celebrating the Fourth of July in Corlears Hook Park. 

HYDEN had fully pressed down his gas pedal and did not hit his breaks until one-half second before the final crash. Four people were trapped underneath the pickup truck, with seven others struck and injured by the truck or debris. 

After the truck finally came to a rest trapping four people underneath, HYDEN attempted to flee by placing the truck in reverse to continue driving, only to be stopped by witnesses who removed the key from the ignition. 

Lucille Pinkney, Herman Pinkney, and Ana Morel were immediately pronounced dead. Emily Ruiz was pronounced dead five days later without ever regaining consciousness. 

Four victims seriously injured their heads, arms, and backs, making it incredibly difficult to walk. Three victims sustained lacerations to their faces as well as other minor injuries. 

Assistant D.A. Matthew Bogdanos (Senior Trial Counsel) is handling the prosecution of this case with Assistant D.A. Joseph Goldstein (Trial Bureau 50) under the supervision of Assistant D.A. Jessica Lynn (Bureau Chief of Trial Bureau 50) and Executive Assistant D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division). Chief Trial Division Analyst Nicole Drosinos and Trial Preparation Assistant Noah Rabkin are providing valuable assistance in this case. 

The Survivor Services Bureau (SSB) Leadership Team supported the victims, including Beverly Gilchrist (Chief of Survivor Services Bureau), Rokel Jefferson (Director of Advocates and Vehicular Violence Specialist), and Lisa Haileselassie (Executive Director of Counseling). Additionally, survivors, witnesses, and their families were provided with court accompaniment, crisis support and services from Victim Service Advocates & Counselors Chanelly Solomon, Alexandria Caraballo-Ocasio, Donovan Smile, Alexandra Minaya, Alena Klee, Liz Frost, Cecilia Pino, Jonatan Capote Borrego, Sierrah Smalls, Betty Wasserman, Mayra Leon-Modzelewski, Kara Wissing, Nakeisha Vanterpool, and Danielle Acker. Additional SSB staff assisted by escorting survivors, including Jillian Short, Lorancy Jean, Tasmia Irtaza, and Katie Serrano. 

D.A. Bragg thanked the NYPD, particularly Detectives Keith Solomon and Edward Arango of the Highway Safety Enforcement Unit. 

 

Defendant Information: 

DANIEL HYDEN 

Monmouth, NJ 

Charged:

• Murder in the Second Degree, a class A-I felony, four counts
• Aggravated Vehicular Homicide, a class B felony, one count
• Assault in the Second Degree, a class D felony, four counts
• Assault in the Third Degree, a class A misdemeanor, three counts

 

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[1] The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. All factual recitations are derived from documents filed in court and statements made on the record in court.